A bad month

It all started on Friday the 6th of June. The terrible coughing and trouble breathing. It was right after I had my catscan on that day, so thought I was having a reaction to the dye, maybe. I used my inhaler and it seemed to get better. During the next two days, I was still having trouble, though appeared to be better. 

On Monday, the 9th, right after lunch I really got bad. I was gasping for each breath and asked Albert to rush me to the hospital. I was lucky that they took me right in and put me on oxygen right away. I was really scared, as I struggled to breathe...

They started giving me nebulizers and they did help. They also gave me steroids to help get rid of any inflamation. They gave me a prescription for steroids and nebulizers and sent me home, breathing much easier.

I really did not get better though, as I kept coughing so hard. I kept on using the nebulizer. The surprising thing was that Albert started having the same problem. He was also having a hard time breathing and was blowing his nose a lot. We were beginning to think that we both had a virus of some kind. That is what my doctor told me it was, when I recently had an appointment. NOT

Last weekend we had to go to Alberts house and get his lawn mown. I took my nebulizer with us, just in case. I left my house coughing. We spent most of the day at his house, and not once did I cough or have to use the nebulizer. I felt so much better and wondered why. But...

 The minute we arrived home, I walked in the door and started coughing so hard that I was becoming afraid. Still I did not use my inhaler or anything because I realized there was something in my house causing this. The only thing that I had different in my house in the last month was a bag of Miracle Gro potting soil.

Between cough's I asked Albert to please take it down to the basement. He did and within 1/2 an hour my coughing ceased without any treatment. I never coughed again all night. By the next day both of us were back to normal.

 I asked him to take the soil out to my garage and he did. We were fine until he added some to my window boxes two days ago. I guess he thought it would be safe to use outside. :( He is now clearing his throat and blowing his nose every few minutes. I am astonished that something like this could make anyone so ill. I think it is time to throw it away. There has to be something bad in that soil.

Wondering if anyone else has had any problem in using this??

Much love to all, and I will try to update more often. I miss all of you in xangaland!!! 

This beautiful pileated woodpecker appeared on this old stump this morning and it really made our day. The picture does not do him justice, as he is much larger than he looks in the picture. He entertained us all morning and put a smile on both of our faces.

Yes the snow has finally left and we can look forward to some nice weather.

I have been so busy running back and forth to the hospital doing a lab test then the chemo on Monday's. After about 4 hours, I come home with a bag and pump around my waist for the next two days-pumping more chemo into me for 47 more hours.

I have to go back and have it taken off on Wednesday, then on Thursday, I have to return to have a shot to bring up my white blood count. Once I have the shot, then the tiredness hits me. I spend the next two to three days sleeping. I hate that part of it, being so tired and unable to do anything.

Thank God for my friend, Albert! He quit his job when he found out that I was ill and he has been waiting on me ever since. He cooks  all of the meals during my "tired time". He does dishes and whatever he can to help me through this. When I get over the tiredness, I try to cook something that he likes or do something for him to make up for all his waiting on me.

I hope I am not boring you with all the details of my treatment, but just want you to be aware of why I am not on here a lot. I do try to keep up with your blogs, but find it hard sometimes.

I am more aware now of what the word "friend" really means than at any other time in my life.

Thanks for standing by me during this time.

SPRING HAS BEEN FOUND

I said hopefully no more snow pictures, but I just had to show this one that was in our local paper yesterday. I guess it is ok seeing that it is a sign of spring. The caption underneath says that this lady shoveled four feet of snow so that she could plant her onions. Make sure to click on it to see an enlarged version. Thank you for your help, Greg!!! Guess you can start planting now.

Sorry I am not on here much, but had to go to the hospital every day this past week-yes even Saturday and Sunday. I have a doctor's appointment today also. Hope everyone out there is doing well. Much love to all! 

This will be the last time I will post winter pictures, I hope! I want to take some pictures of my daffodils, but I am afraid it will be awhile yet. Hope you are not becoming bored with looking at the snow.

In answer to one of my subscribers who asked have I seen spring yet, this was taken yesterday at my friend's home.

I am afraid that it will still be a while before we see much green grass.

This is a neighbor's home. The pile of snow on the left totally covers their front door. They have been using the garage for access to the house all winter.

The last picture I took on March 30th of another roof collapse, during another snow storm. It was taken at Story Book Inn.They lost a large section of their motel. We are still seeing this happen even though we should be seeing spring. Oh, spring, where are you.

Much love to all my xanga friends. Thanks for all the pictures of spring, it does give me hope that it will arrive here soon.

Spring is out there somewhere-think green