Happy New Year and our Anniversary

 I want to wish each and every one of you the best new years of your lives.

Be extra careful if you are traveling by car.

Nancy and I will be celebrating double as usual on New Years eve as it is also our number 67 wedding anniversary.

sixty-seven years ago, we went to the county courthouse to get us a marriage license and get married.

The court clerk married us and I gave him $5.00 for doing it.

I know $5.00 wasn't much but at that time I was working for the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan as an apprentice for $2,00 an hour.

Nancy and I will be making cabbage rolls today as we have for many a year.

Thanks for stopping by and do have a great and safe day.

Got medicine So

 Yes, my pills came in the mail yesterday two weeks after being called in by the doctor.

But as I said my last reading on my platelet level showed the numbers were elevated without taking anything to raise them.

I'm not going to take any pills until I see what my numbers are Tomorrow on what I will do.

I hope each and every one of you had a great Christmas.

Nancy and I had some homemade chicken soup that we made which was really good.

                                                               

But the thing we liked best was the Hungarian nut rolls we put together.

I ground up the walnuts with the old fashion grinder I've had for many a year.

We made thirty-two of them and they were really really good.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Merry Christmas.

      

First of all, I want to wish each and every one of you a very Merry Christmas.

Please stay safe because a need each and every one of you and so does your family.

I had my blood drawn again Friday and as I said I'm not able to get my medicine that will raise my platelet level numbers. 

I got an early Christmas present because Friday the numbers were elevated without the medicine.  

So, I'm not so worried about having the pills to do the work.

Thank you for stopping by and I wish you a very great day.

 

                                                                  

No pills?

 Last post I made I reported I was on medicine again, but no that has not happened as of yet.

For some reason I have not received my pills and I cannot find out why. 

I've spent hours on the phone to see what the holdup is, and no one knows and some of the places I called didn't have any record of me.

So, when I go in today to have my blood drawn, I will see if someone there will help.

No doubt my numbers on my platelets will be much lower.

I'm not a very happy camper right now!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

On medication again.

 I went to the Cancer Center Friday to have my blood drawn again after 2 weeks.

I also had to see the doctor how my blood levels are on the platelets as they have slowly been going down which is not good.

As expected, my body is not doing what it is supposed to do and now it has taken a nosedive in the wrong direction.

The doctor is putting me on the same medicine that takes it up but on a lower dose of 25mg instead of the 50mg so it will not jump up to quick like the last time.

So now it's back to having my blood drawn every Friday and not every two weeks. 

The doctor will see me in three weeks to see how everything is.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Just living the day

 After my platelet count had dropped .08 two weeks ago this pasted Friday showed it had raised .03 back up.

I guess it may bounce around before it settles on a normal count, at least I hope so. 

                                                                   

I have been having some really good breakfast lately, here's is one of them.   Scrambled eggs, with ham, peppers, onions plus hash browns with gravy.

The next day for supper it was hash browns, sausage with onions and peppers with a Vernor's ginger ale that hit the spot. 

Then the next morning I put together the leftover sausage, onions and pepper omelet with toast for another tasty breakfast.

I had another photo when I went to the park with daughter Sherry and her husband Mark to feed the birds.

You can tell by the look on my face that the joy I had feeding the birds out of my hand.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day. 

 
 

 

After Thanksgiving Day

 Well, I hope everyone had a nice and safe Thanksgiving Day.

Are you still enjoying your leftovers or maybe you went out to eat and not have to worry with the cleaning up after the large meal?

                                                                 

Nancy and I started on the leftover ham Friday morning with breakfast we added hash brown potatoes, a couple of eggs, gravy, biscuit and a cup of coffee to start the day.

We both agreed the Smithfield spiral cut ham was the best we have tasted.

Then Saturday was almost a repeat only this time we had and omelet with peppers, onions and ham.

That really hit the spot and needless to say we didn't want anything for lunch time. 

I watched some college basketball games on Friday and some on Saturday.

Of course, there was some short naps while leaned back in the recliner.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day. 

  

                                                                 

                                                                  

                                                                                

Thanksgiving Dinner

 Nancy and I had a quiet day for Thanksgiving just getting our dinner prepared to eat.

                                                                      

As you cand see, green beans, candied sweet potatoes. corn, spiral cut ham, deviled eggs and rolls.

it did take us some time baking the ham and fixing the rest of the stuff, but the taste was worth it all.

By the time we ate the food and did the clean up, then watching tv a short time we were ready for a nap.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Happy Thanksgiving

 Yes, First I want to wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and just think how many things we have to be thankful for.

I have all you people to be thankful for staying with me all these years.

My wife, my children and all my friends.

I really couldn't list all the things.   

Please be extra careful if you are traveling by car to get to your destination.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Urologist, all is good.

 I went to the Urologist yesterday with the CD from my MRI that I had a couple of weeks ago at the Radiology Center.

The Urologist (Doctor Syed) said all looked good, but he wanted to scope my bladder to see if all is clear.

I've been having an issue with blood so; he also checked my kidneys and everything else.

He come to the conclusion that the blood was from the two kidney stones that I have, been trying to come loose. 

So, all is good on all that from the kidneys all the way out.

Thanks for stopping by and have a good day.

Here and There

 After spending a week with Nancy and me Mark and Sherry had to go back home.

They returned their rental car and boarded a plane and of they went.

We really enjoyed having them in for a visit and as usual the time is always too short.

Also, I had to go to the Cancer Center Friday to have blood drawn to check my platelet numbers.

They have been going up to almost normal but this time after two weeks the numbers were down 134 to 122.

I have appointments for two more times to have the blood drawn in the next five weeks before I see my Oncologist.  Unless he looks and discover that my platelets are headed the wrong way.

Tomorrow, I go to see the Urologist to see what the MRI showed if anything might be causing another problem I have.   Seems as though I'm always seeing some kind of doctor.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

A good day.

 Sherry and her husband Mark, came to visit us for a week, and we were glad that they did.

So, the other day Mark, Sherry and I went to the John Chesnut Park to see if we could see a few gators.

                                                                  

Boy, did we.  We saw a bunch of them, I forget the count, but it was 10 or maybe more.  

But the thing that trilled Sherry and me was we were able to feed some small birds out of our hands.

Here's a closeup of Sherry feeding one of them.

Sherry and Mark enjoying the day.

A closer look at one of the gators.

All three of us really enjoyed the day.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

That time of year

 Yes, time of year------College basketball games.

I sure enjoy the basketball games and I've got an app on my "fire stick" that gets about all of the games.

                                                                   

                                                                       

After a good breakfast of egg, sausage on a croissant, with peppers, tomato and tater dots I was ready to start the day.

I did something I have not been able to do for at least two years, I hand washed my minivan.

So, I believe I'm slowly getting better and have a little more strength.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

                                                                   

Blood drawn and other things

 Had my blood drawn last Friday which was two weeks doing it instead of one week.

I was a little disappointed of it only going up from 130 to 134.

Its only 6 points out of the low normal range so it is still going up without medication.

                                                                 

I went to the Jay B, Starkey Wilderness Park this past week and that did feel good to be out again.

First thing you can't help noticing is a tree in the middle of the road.

I don't know if this tree has a special meaning or not.

They have a boardwalk going through the swampy area.

The two trees that had oranges on them have died and are dried up.

I sure miss seeing all the oranges on the trees.

To many of the orange grooves are gone, stores and shopping centers have taken their place.

This is the starting point of the Withlacoochee River that goes through Port Richey and on out into the gulf waters.

They have camping cabins plus also a tent camping area.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

  

   

More Photos

 I thought I would post a few more photos fr0m my walk-through James E Grey Preserve.

                                                                       

Always waiting for a handout.

With a boardwalk like this it makes walking a bit easier.

This palm tree still standing tall even though it top is gone.

Old stump looked kind of weird setting in the river.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Out for a while

Friday I decided to hold up on taking my fluid pills and going out to a park.

                                                                     

So it was off to the James E Grey Preserve which is a good place for a little walking. 

                                                    

It was nice and peaceful by the river.

There is a long smooth walkway.

Of course, there is always squirrels waiting for a handout.

This is the back water of the river.

A good place to rest with benches and a roof for shade looking out over the river.

Even a bridge for a nice photo shot.

A few flowers still growing along the dirt path.

I really enjoyed out in the woods today.

I sure do miss visiting the woods and lakes that we use to go to.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

                                                      

Nancy made a new dish of food for us.

 Everything is going slow at this time.

I've got an appointment with my Urologist for Monday that my Oncologist made that a new issue has come up.

So, something new, this old machine that I've lived in for 0ver 85 years looks to be wearing mighty thin. 

                                                                   

I almost forgot about a dish of food Nancy prepare the first of the week.

It was sausage fried with peppers, onions and broccoli on a bed of rice it really tasted good.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

 

Food and Football.

 The weekend was kind of usual with me watching college football.

                                                                         

I did cook up a pot of chicken and dumplings.

This was my first time trying this meal and it turned out pretty good, because Nancy said so and she never tells lies.

Here is my little plate full.

I all ways get just a small amount because that way my food stays hot until I get finished.

It was that way with this my third helping.

Thank you for stopping by and do have a good day.
   

 

More good health news

 Yesterday was another Friday to have my blood drawn and check my platelets level again.

Also, to see my oncologist to decide what's the next thing to do.

My platelet level which bottomed out at 116 a few weeks ago started to raise only 3 points then the last time at 4 points going up.

Yesterday after checking it had gone up 7 points so some good news on that is---------the Oncologist said that since the level is coming up that I will have my blood drawn every two weeks for the next couple of months then he will see how things are going to decide what he will do. 

I have been feeling better each day but not as good as I was before my health problems began.

The doctors keep telling me to not work so much at my age and I tell them that I'm doing what I have all my life and working even if I have to slow do is a joy for me.

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day.

Platelets and Cabbage Rolls

 Had my blood drawn again Friday just like I have been doing for the last three months on a Friday.

And my platelet level is still going up, the numbers are still low but they are climbing.  This time tough the numbers went up 4 instead of 3 like the last time.

That means I'm 17 out of the low end of the range it is supposed to be. 

                                                                   

I got to thinking about cabbage rolls Friday and decided to make a pot full.

We usually make them on New Years eve, and very seldom any other time.

They turned out really good and as you can see I like a little of cabbage with mine.

We use to make them on the stove which took a lot of watching to make sure they did not boil over or not have enough liquid (tomato juice and water) covering them.

But then when Nancy bought her the Instant Pot we tried it that way.

Now it only takes 85 minutes in the pot until they are ready to eat and tasted just as good.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.  

Blood drawn better news

 After having my blood drawn and getting the results back I feel a little better now.

My platelet numbers are heading in the right direction with a reading of three points higher. 

That is not a great number, but they are going up the first time in around a month.

My number right now is 119 and the low end of the range is 140 I still have a way to go.

I still feel like working but I get tired if I try to hurry.  The same way with walking I can walk but if I try to walk fast, I'm tired in no time.

Today is another college football game day but first I have a couple of errands to do.

Thanks for stopping by and do have a great day.  

Just another day

 Not a lot is going on here.

Yesterday I did get around to go to Pep Boys to have my oil changed, which was a little passed due.

I like to keep a check on it by looking to see how dirty it looks.

With the engine having 14500 miles on it the oil did not seem to be dirty looking and still looked like it was clean.

I also made another trip to Walmart for a few things.

Seems as though Nancy needs something from Walmart every day.

The numbers game.

 Friday was the day I had another reading on my blood platelets.

The numbers are still going down but this time only 3 points.

I also had a little time with my Oncologist to see what he thinks about how things are going.

He is not going to put me on the pills that I had before to raise the numbers.

He said we would wait another three weeks to see if my numbers will raise without medication. 

And if not, he would put me on a lower dose then the last time. 

Maybe this number this time only going down 3 points hopefully when I go in this Friday my number will begin to go up.

Thanks for stopping by and do have a great day.

Finally Grilling.

 I had the usual run on the stores yesterday.

First was to Winn Dixie to get a London Beef Roast for later on this week and a couple of things.

Next was Walmart for some vegetables to go in the pot roast.

Then next door to Dollar Tree, for a few things we needed.

                                                   

                                                               

I also felt like grilling a couple of Ribeye steaks that have been in the freezer way to long.

I grilled some onions and peppers with the steak to give them a little added seasoning.

Here's Nancy's plate full, I cut her steak up because she likes beef tips with pepper and onions.

It tasted good put not as good as usual maybe it could be that I had not grilled anything for so long or maybe the steaks were in the freezer too long.

Tomorrow I go back to have blood drawn again to see how the platelet numbers are.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day. 

Had things to do

 Yesterday I had to go to my Urologist for a kidney ultrasound.  Doctor Syed the one that had to break up three kidney stones a few months back because they were too large.  At that time there was a small one that required nothing had to be done we it since it was a small one.

Well, the ultrasound showed that a now have another forming and he is going to have to keep a check on it.

From there it was a short trip down to the Good Will to see it I could find anything.  I did find a nice-looking shirt and even a couple of small items for Nancy.  Those two items were new and one half the price of the like items in Walmart.  

Next was a stop at WA WA to fill up the van with gas.  Then nearby was a stop to get a few grocery items that we needed.

 

I left the house at 10:30am and did not get back home until 2:30pm.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day. 

Not what I expected

 Not what I expected.   Yeah, you know by the heading that I was expecting better news on the platelet numbers.

At least it didn't go down very much from 132 last week down to 119 this week. 

Well maybe next Friday it will be better news.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great and wonderful day.

Doctor and other doings on.

 We had appointments at 1:00 pm yesterday so I had some extra time.

I used that time to go to Harbor t to get a new battery for my drill which finally ran plum down after a few years.

Then it was to Kohl's department store to exchange the pajama's that I had bought nancy's that were the wrong size.

                                                               

I took the scenic route by the river.  Port Richey is also known as the Little City by the river.

But first it was the route around "Orange Lake" which is also in the city limits. 

Then a trip along the river road or there is plenty of parking where you can take a stroll down the sidewalk.

As far as it goes our primary care doctor says Nancy and I are doing fair so our ages.

Thanks for stopping by and have a very great day.

Another Doctor Appointment

 Today Nancy and I have an appointment to our primary care doctor.  

Just a follow up from the last visit where he had cut my blood thinners to half the mg's because my blood pressure has been running low.

It has been averaging around 112/60 at times even lower at 96/54. 

He had me keep a record of the reading's morning and evening, so we will see what he has to say.

Thanks for stopping by and have yourself a great day. 

Not good-not too bad

 I started yesterday out early as I wanted to do a few things before I went to the Cancer Center to have my blood drawn.

I was out the door and off to Walgreen's to pick up a couple of prescriptions that the Cardiologist had called in.   From there it was a Winn Dixie stop for a few items on sale this week, you know BOGO two for one.  From there it was Walmart for things that only Walmart sales, then it was head to the house.

I got back home 9:30, with an hour of rest before my appointment to have my blood drawn.

And the result with my platelet count was not what I was hoping for but not too bad.

Last week the count it was 142 and this week it was 132.  So, it was once again back out of the range it should be.

I hope this coming Friday it will bounce back strong with a much higher number.

Thanks for stopping by and I do wish you have a great day.

Cardiologist Appointment.

 I had a visit with my cardiologist yesterday he took an EKG and everything looked good on that.

I asked him about the way doctor Capone (our primary care physician) had reduced the mg on my meds, because my blood pressure has been running on thr low side.

He said everything looked good to him.

Then it came to the blood thinner, he had me on Eliquis and I told him that didn't agree with me.

It left me with purple spots all over my body.  So, he put me on Xarelto, and I hope there are no side effects that are not too bad. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.

Saturday Football

 Yesterday was a day for watching college football and there were some exciting games on.

Of course, I guess that depends on if your team was winning or losing.

If I need to go to the store I go early in the morning because, then I've got to take my meds and two "water pills."   When I need to go to the see the doctor then I cannot take the "water pills."  

                                                                

Nancy had another good meal for us yesterday which was fried chicken tenders, mixed vegetables and green beans that I seasoned them and put into the air fryer.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day.