MOVING, A NEW COMPUTER AND WINDOWS 11

If there is one thing I’ve learned over that past couple of months it is that I am getting too old to move an entire household and adjust to a new computer at the same time while recovering from shoulder surgery. Lou and I have decided that one or both of us will die in this house. Believe me, that is a huge relief knowing that we will not have to go through this again.

We both have a shitload of stuff that has been accumulated over the decades. The better part of the last few months has been spent packing up 41 years worth of Lou’s stuff and 20 years worth of my stuff. Neither of us can believe how we managed to fit all that stuff into a 1300 square foot house. The unbelievable part is that even with getting rid of a lot, we are barely fitting it all into our new 2400 square foot house!

The really difficult part is how much we have both struggled through this move, physically, emotionally and mentally. It seems that endless boxes have been packed and unpacked. Every time I emptied several boxes and put things away, several more miraculously appeared. We’ve been here a week and three more boxes have shown up on the counter today. Thank goodness we only moved four miles away and didn’t have to be totally out of our old house at a given time. We would be raving lunatics for sure if that was the case.

It's extra hard since I’m still limited physically with my shoulder healing from surgery two months ago. That makes poor Lou the muscle when I need to move anything even a little heavy. Another difficult element is that mentally our brains are both having a hard time keeping up with the nine thousand things we have to do and remember. Suffice it to say that I am feeling my age and I’m pretty sure Lou is, too. But we are muddling through and the place is starting to take shape. My goal is to have most everything in its place and organized by the end of the year. Knowing where it is all kept is another story.

So far, we are surviving our major move even if it is just barely. Taking a hot bath in our big, beautiful bathtub has been sheer heaven at the end of a long day. Once we are more settled and decorated, I’ll post some photos along with more details.

Now, on to buying a new computer a couple months ago. I’d like to think I’m fairly tech saavy for a 72 year old woman but it has been a challenge to get a new computer up and running. I was using Windows 7 and had to upgrade to Windows 11 which meant that my 2003 Microsoft Office CD would no longer function on my new computer. Not to mention that my new HP desktop doesn’t even have a CD drive.

Plus, I have a bone to pick with the computer geeks who design these new systems. What I used to be able to do in one or two clicks now takes three or four. For example, copy and paste used to be highlight, click to copy, click to paste. Now, it is highlight, click, select “options”, then select copy, click, select “options”, then click paste. Why??? In my humble opinion, they should leave well enough alone and not fix something that isn’t broken.

Both of us still prefer a desktop even though we are fast becoming dinosaurs in the computer age. This one has one terabyte of storage space and tons of memory to accommodate anything I’ll ever want to store for as long as I live (and am able to still work a computer).

I put off buying a new MS Office suite until after our move because I was afraid doing both concurrently may put my mind over the edge. I sucked it up and purchased a one time downloadable one. I’ve been arguing with my computer to NOT store every file I have on the “cloud” or One Drive as it is called. After an online search I finally figured out how to unlink One Drive completely. At 11:30 PM last night, I began typing this in my new Word Document and it is being stored on my own computer. Hallelujah! There is quite a sense of accomplishment in that for an old lady.

When we first hooked up my printer at the new house, it wouldn’t print. For whatever reason my printer didn’t want to talk to my computer. Maybe they had a fight in transit, who knows. At that point I really didn’t care. Anyway, that was yet another project. I decided to restart my computer when I was trying to get rid of One Drive. Low and behold, my printer started spewing out all the pages I had tried to print a few days ago. For the time being I’m happy being able to finally type a Word Doc and print it! That’s enough for one day in my book.

THEY'RE RUINING BASEBALL

For years prior to his passing my dad always bitched that "they" were ruining baseball. For him, it started with pitch counts. Suddenly a starter couldn't throw more than 80 or 90 pitches before being replaced by a reliever. Old time pitchers threw complete games routinely and didn't even know how many pitches they threw. My dad hated that they had 12 or 13 pitchers on the roster and no one to pinch hit. I'd always smile and say, "That's just how they play the game now."

Well, four years after he died, I wish I could tell him he was absolutely right - they are ruining baseball. Now I hate the new trends in the age-old game as much as he did. Here are a few of the current issues that would have my dad turning over in his grave (if he was in a grave instead of scattered over Sea Ranch in northern California with my mom):

Designated hitters - the American League has had them for years but it has been adopted throughout Major League Baseball this year. It takes a lot of strategy out of the game. Pitchers are players, too, and need to have the occasional opportunity to shine at the plate. I'll bet Madison Bumgarner (a great power hitting pitcher) is really pissed off.

Defensive Shifts - it has become common for teams to study "analytics" and put 3 infielders on one side of the field if a batter rarely hits to the other side. Or move an infielder back as a shallow outfielder. It screws up scorekeepers and potential double plays when players are out of position. And it's just not right.

Bullpen games - for some reason even with an abundance of pitchers, most teams sometimes don't have enough starters so it becomes a bullpen game. They use one pitcher every inning or two regardless of how well they pitch. It stands to reason if you play 6 or 8 pitchers one or two of them will have a bad day. it's rare that a reliever pitches more than one inning in any situation anymore.

Extra innings - they now put a runner on second base at the beginning of each half inning in a tie game after the ninth to speed up the games. It's unfair to the pitchers who didn't give up a hit to put themselves that situation. The occasional marathon game loved by true fans is a thing of the past.

Pitch com - to prevent sign stealing an electronic device (pitch communicator) is strapped to the catcher's leg and he punches in the type of pitch to throw which is transmitted to the pitcher and middle infielders through a receiver in their caps which can be set to English or Spanish. In my opinion the jury is still out on this one. Might be a helpful tool if it works right.

Position players pitching - the current trend when a game is out of hand in late innings is to put in an outfielder or catcher or whoever wants to give it a shot to pitch. They lob it up there often giving up hits, homeruns, etc. I absolutely hate this one. It is especially egregious because it makes a mockery of America's Pastime. 

Stats and Analytics - baseball has always been notorious for too many statistics and it has only gotten worse. Who cares how fast the ball left the bat or how high the homerun was? A hit is a hit and a homerun is a homerun. Managers play the numbers without taking into consideration that human beings play the games.

In closing my dad was right, they are ruining baseball with all the above changes and many others. But there is hope on the horizon since MLB just voted to make the current shifts illegal next year. A team must have two infielders on each side of second base and all infielders must have at least one foot on the infield dirt. I'm one hundred percent in favor of that rule. 

They are also adding a pitch clock giving a pitcher so many seconds to start their wind up. Another good idea which will definitely speed up the games. Both are a step in the right direction but I'm afraid baseball as all of us old folks knew and loved it is gone forever. Thank goodness we have our memories of the good old days.

SURGERY AND REHAB

 Okay, I am 14 days post shoulder surgery now. This post might not be as long as most because, as you might expect, I am one finger typing this with my left hand AND using my mouse left-handed, too. I am right-handed and not at all ambidextrous. Before I get into what I can and can't do very well at all, let me give you a quick rundown on the actual surgery.

Everything went well at my 7:30 am surgery time on August 22, thank God! I have six little incisions, the longest about 1/2", across the front, top and back of my right shoulder. My surgeon said the damage was worse than the MRI indicated but he was able "to repair it routinely". 

I was out like a light and woke up in recovery about two hours later to a busy room with lots of people running around and a special needs kid yelling loudly. My first thought was 'what the hell am I dreaming about' only to realize shortly that it wasn't a dream at all. After some water and juice, I promptly threw up before being ushered out the door with a towel and vomit bag and into my car that Lou was driving to pick me up. We arrived home around 11 am. The Vicodin knocked me out for the first two days and I slept great in my recliner nest at the end of the couch surrounded by every pillow we owned in the house.

The pain hasn't been bad at all and I was off the Vicodin on day four. Now for the fun part. Have you ever had to do 'everything', let me repeat, 'everything', with only your nondominant hand? Use your imagination when I say 'everything'. It ain’t easy. Lou has been great about helping me with 'everything'. But who wants to have your partner dressing and undressing you and washing you (under these circumstances anyway)? Plus, it feels like I've accomplished a lot by doing these things myself.

Disclaimer: Some people seem to have taken my previous posts regarding the surgery as being really upset and depressed. Not at all. I am thrilled to have it repaired with minimal pain. However, I will admit to some good-natured, tongue-in-cheek complaining regarding my numerous limitations.

There are two things that I literally cannot do AND no one I’ve asked has come up with a solution. They are pulling my hair up with a scrunchi or clip and tying athletic shoes. Both are two handed jobs. If you have any suggestions, please let me know. One friend with really long hair said she twisted and twisted it over her shoulder then held it in her teeth to grab it with a clip and sort of pull it up. Mine wasn’t long enough for that. Lou can tie my shoes fine but he struggles with scrunchis. 

I have learned to eat fairly well left-handed, can cook simple meals only having to call for help occasionally and can do a basic job on showering and grooming after two weeks of practice. I have been skipping makeup since that is a real challenge. Still need help with hair washing but I’m planning to tackle that by myself tomorrow. Any writing looks like a toddler did it so I’m foregoing that until my right arm is functional. 

By far the worst is trying to sleep. Ideally, they want me in a reclined position on my back wearing my sling and my arm supported by pillows. I have never slept comfortably on my back and still don't. I've tried to graduate to sleeping in our bed a few times but usually end up kicking my pillows down the stairs (while I have a left-handed death grip in the banister) and getting a few hours of rest in my recliner nest. I will be really glad when I can get out of the sling and sleep on my side again.

I started PT a few days ago and have three simple exercises to do a few times a day. The complete rehab will be 4 to 6 months. Only 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 months to go! YAY!

Hmmm, seems that this isn't any shorter since I discovered how helpful autocorrect on my iPad has been in writing.

THE SAGA CONTINUES

 As expected, I need shoulder surgery. It is scheduled for August 22, just 11 days from now. My gynecologist (of all people) who I respect and trust recommended an orthopedic surgeon who she says is the "best in the Sacramento area" and he specializes in shoulder injuries. He is a team doctor for the Sacramento River Cats minor league baseball team as well. I was immediately onboard.

I had a Zoom appointment with Dr. Hirahara yesterday. He asked me what is going on with my shoulder. I replied, "From what I've heard it is pretty messed up." He answered, "I would totally agree with your assessment." The surgery will be done arthroscopically as an outpatient but will require several small incisions to reach all the tears. The doctor went on to shoot down my thought of waiting until after we move in October saying that it needs to be done sooner rather than later. Since the tendon is totally detached from the rotator cuff it needs to be done before it becomes too difficult to stretch and repair.

Today was a bit of a madhouse since it went from 'okay I need surgery" to full speed ahead with preparation for doing it in a week and a half! This afternoon I had an appointment with my primary care doctor to do an EKG and exam to clear me for surgery. I have a pre-op appointment with Dr. Hirahara tomorrow afternoon then blood work in a few days. Finally I need a Covid test 3 days prior.

AND my computer decided that it was on its last legs so I bought a new one this morning. In its defense my Dell was 7-1/2 years old and running Windows 7. It started making a whirring noise that would not stop for two days and I was afraid it would crap out on me. I am typing this on my brand new state-or-the-art HP with Windows 11. There is still a ton to learn and do but all my photos and documents are downloaded along with access to most websites I use often.

What I am still pondering and wondering how the hell I am going to manage this is the recovery and rehab. I woefully under estimated how involved that would be. I will be in a sling for four weeks and am not supposed to move my shoulder or upper arm away from my body. Physical therapy will start after one week with one of the doctors preferred PTs. I will be assessed each week for months by the PT and told what to do that next week. Then there will be NO LIFTING for 4 -6 months. 

You may recall that we are moving the middle of October - two months away. Packing and moving boxes will be pretty much not allowed. I'm going to have to recruit a couple friends and relatives to help me with that. Lou will have a ton of his own packing to do. At least by then the sling will be gone.

Throughout the day numerous questions have come to mind regarding NO use of my right arm beyond moving the fingers a bit. I am right handed in case you didn't know that. My dominate hand/arm will be useless. Some questions that popped into my head.

How will I wash/shower? Baths will be out of the question.

How will I cook or eat? Lou will be helping a lot.

How will I comb my hair? Or wash my hair? 

How will I get dressed? Or undressed?  

How will I type? Or write my blogs? Or use a mouse?

How will I open wine? May need screw tops.

How will I even do the simplest things with no use of my right arm? My left arm will get strong and likely be exhausted. But how many things can you do with one arm? Let alone your nondominate arm?

There are a ton of other "how will I's" and I think of new ones constantly. I guess it will be a real learning curve. I don't want to cheat and use the arm when I shouldn't be. If I am going through all the surgery, I will damn well do what they tell me since I don't want to go through all this again. 

Everyone, including me and my doctor, are amazed that such a simple thing as pushing back a chair could do this much damage. It still boggles my mind. And the pain and limitations are still fairly minimal. 

I'll keep you posted as my shoulder saga continues. Crazy and pretty unbelievable.

MRI RESULTS

As promised here are the results of my MRI last week. There is good news and bad news.

The good news:

I am in no real pain if I'm careful and am only somewhat limited in normal day to day activities. I'm grateful for that but surprised after reading the results.

The bad news:

According to the report I have a "Full-thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon". This is the tendon that attaches to the rotator cuff on the top of the shoulder. Full-thickness tear means complete tear.

It also shows a "Superior labral tear" which means your labrum (cartilage) is torn at the top in both the front (anterior) and back (posterior) of where it attaches to the biceps tendon. 

And finally there is a "High-grade partial longitudinal tear of the long head biceps tendon with associated tenosynovitis (inflammation of the tendon)".

It finished with a few references to mild and moderate osteoarthritis in various parts of my arm and shoulder which I know about already.

Now, I'm no doctor but it doesn't take a rocket scientist (or even an orthopedic surgeon) to surmise the meaning of the results - my arm is fucked up. After a bit of internet research and an email to my regular doctor, my above diagnosis was confirmed. I have been referred to an orthopedic surgeon but couldn't get an appointment until August 19th. Delay must be supply chain issues due to covid???

I'm expecting to hear that surgery will be needed if I want to do anything more than keep my arm fairly still and call Lou every time I need to lift something or pull something or reach something.

So, that is your shoulder anatomy lesson for the day - and what can go wrong when you do something crazy like push a chair back from the table.

BETTE DAVIS WAS RIGHT

It's a quote that most of us have heard for decades, "Old age ain't no place for sissies". It has been widely attributed to the legendary actress, Bette Davis, although it is not really known if she did indeed say it. I'm going to choose to believe that she did utter those prophetic words and that amazing old broad was one hundred percent right!

Pretty much everyone who passes the age of 65, especially women, has had occasion to recall that old age ain't no place for sissies. It is common place to go to bed feeling pretty good only to wake up with a myriad of aches and pains - a back, a shoulder, an arm or a neck. What the hell? How did I simply sleep and hurt myself? Hey, it happens all the time. And it only gets worse as you age. Not to mention that time speeds up exponentially with each passing year. What seemed like six months ago was actually two years. No way???

I've had a particularly rude awakening these past few weeks as this phenomenon jumped up and bit me big time. Just about a month ago we departed for a Caribbean cruise with my son and granddaughter. It had been cancelled twice due to the pandemic but we were finally on our way looking forward to a wonderful adventure. My "Travels Near & Far" blog has details and photos.

Lou and I met up with Darrin and Charley at the Denver airport where we all flew to Miami together. Our flight left Sacramento at 5:05 AM and we had a long layover before their flight arrived so we skipped breakfast at home knowing we'd have plenty of time to eat in Denver. Here's where it gets kind of stupid. I shoved a heavy chair back from the table to put our bags on it and was greeted with one of the worse pains I've ever experienced in my right upper arm. I almost screamed in the airport restaurant and it took several minutes to settle down. It hurt like hell but I had two strong guys and a pretty strong granddaughter to help schlep all the bags around.

The next day as we boarded the ship I notice a small bruise on my upper arm. Over the next couple days, it spread to a 3 inch around, nasty, purple, ugly ass bruise. It freaked everyone out. Fortunately, it no longer hurt like hell but sure looked awful.

By the time we got off the ship, it had faded substantially but I had this "Popeye muscle" (which I never had before) in its place. I saw my doctor who suspected a ruptured tendon or muscle and ordered an ultrasound. The ultrasound didn't show enough detail but the report says "a probable torn tendon" and ordered an MRI (scheduled for next week) along with an orthopedic referral. What the fuck? All this from pushing a chair back from a table?

I've been favoring my right arm for a few weeks and now my left wrist is hurting so I'm wearing a brace on it. I need my arms to negotiate the stairs due to my severe neuropathy and total lack of balance.

And, just for the hell of it, I woke up a week ago with a pain in my upper left back muscle. My whole life I've had the occasional lower back issue but not the upper back. It was killing me for a few days then inexplicably moved from the left side to the right side. What? I've given up trying to figure it all out. Basically, something, somewhere usually seems to hurt anymore.

Now I am done complaining for awhile because even with all its problems, this old body has taken pretty good care of me these past 72 years. And contrary to the content of this post, I really do try NOT to complain too much. Just wanted to point out that Bette Davis was right on the money, "Old age ain't no place for sissies".

Besides, the aches and pains still beat the hell out of the alternative.

LOU'S DAD

Lou's dad, Louis Jacob Padgug, passed away early last Wednesday morning, October 27, 2021, after being in hospice care at home since August. He spent a little over 97 years on this earth. His only son, Louis John Padgug, was at his side holding his hand as he left this world.

The last Father's Day, June 2021, for father and son.

First, let me sing the praises of my partner of 20+ years. Lou stepped up managing his dad's care along with relieving caregivers and doing all the hands on care necessary for someone in the final months of their life. Remember this is a man who, having no children, never changed a diaper or sat up half the night with a sick kid. Yet he walked right into the trenches, learned what he needed to do and helped his father in every way. His strength and capable determination was commendable. I couldn't be prouder of his effort to make his dad's last weeks the best they could be. 

Lou was the only "father-in-law" I have ever known. My ex-husband's father passed away when he was a teenager. The family always referred to Lou's dad as "Lou" and my Lou as "Louis". My Lou was always just Lou to me and his dad went by Lou, also. Bruni and I spoke of "my Lou" and "your Lou" when we spent time together since they weren't junior and senior with different middle names. For the purpose of clarity, I'll say "Lou" for his dad and "my Lou" for, well, my Lou.

Being that my Lou was Lou's only son, it was always apparent that he adored his youngest child and my Lou was the light of his life. The feeling was mutual. There was a special bond between father and son that was obvious. As the years passed and Lou's condition began to worsen, my Lou provided more assistance to his father in all aspects of his life. 

Lou was a kind, caring and generous man. He led a long, varied life that was free from health issues for the most part. His ability to walk worsened over the years probably partially due to spinal stenosis but there was never a definitive diagnosis in spite of countless doctor visits.

For years, one of Lou's consistent replies to the question, "How are you?", was "As well as can be expected." A few weeks ago, I walked to his bedside and asked how he was doing expecting the usual reply when he surprised me by answering, "Pretty shitty." It brought a smile to my face.

Speaking of smiles, during Lou's last few months, he always had a genuine smile for those of us who stopped by to visit. We had numerous talks about mortality and eternity during his decline and I was grateful to share that with my father-in-law. I always felt his love and affection during my time with his son.

One day maybe a couple weeks prior to his passing, I was already over at Lou's house to confer with the hospice nurse when my Lou arrived. My Lou was wearing a t-shirt that I had no idea he owned or when he bought it. The shirt read:

"Son of a World War II Veteran. 

Most people never meet their heroes. 

I was raised by mine." 

We were all fighting back tears as my Lou read it to his dad and said, "You are my hero."

I am so thankful that my Lou was there with him at the end, sitting at his bedside, holding his hand as he passed from this world to the next. It's all any parent can ask for. Rest in peace, Lou. You will be greatly missed.