We Saw the Cardiologist on Wednesday And My Mother Talked Him into Giving Her a Get Out Of Jail Free Card!
She's so happy it's unbelievable. While driving home, she kept saying I can't believe I'm really out!
Apparently she was secretly convinced that we were lying to her and that she was going to have to stay there the rest of her life. It made me think of Sophia on the "Golden Girls" always worried that her daughter Dorothy was going to send her back to "Shady Pines".
In the meantime, the doctor has still yet to schedule the additional stent procedure. Apparently he wants to wait a few more weeks until she gets even stronger. He sees her again on September 20, and says he'll probably schedule it then. I'll be back in Florida, by then, but my sister and brother will be here to take her back and forth to the necessary appointments.
All things considered, she's looking remarkably well and I think we are all very pleased with her progress.
Just Thinking
Friday, August 27, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Today in History - August 18th
This also seemed like a good day to re-post my favorite TV commercial and No, this is not meant to be an endorsement of AT&T or its 3G Network. Which is what I finally figured out this commercial is for. Nor was I ever necessarily a big fan of Gene Wilder and/or Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I could take it or leave it to tell you the truth. But I do love this commercial, and every time it comes on; I tend to stop, pause, reflect and smile. With all that's been going on recently, today of all days. I feel like a smile :)
I don't know if it's the beautiful yet haunting melody or the scenes of a busy bustling city, combined with innocent childish graphics. Perhaps it's the bearded guy with his simple, subtle and insightful smile. I don't know what it is that captures my imagination. I only know that when I see this commercial I want to get out of box crayons and a clean sheet of paper. It makes me want to be Five again, or any age younger than this reality I am forced to dwell within.
By the way Apple Annie, even though "Not Celebrating Birthdays" has become almost like a "Religion" to me. When I received your card today, at my Mom's house in New Jersey, no less; I must admit it brought me both a Smile and a Tear. Thanks dear one. The timing was just right!
Just Thinking
Monday, August 16, 2010
Yes, I'm Still in New Jersey
And My Mom Is Still in Rehab.
She goes to therapy every morning, and I spend every afternoon and evening with her to keep her company.
Weather permitting, we go for a short walks in the courtyard, play computer games or just sit and talk.
In the evening, of course there's always "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune". Thank You Merv Griffin!
At this point it looks like she'll probably be here at least another week. That's good I suppose, since she's definitely getting stronger each day.
Unfortunately however, she's become very depressed. She wants desperately to go home and I understand that. Sometimes she just looks out the window and cries and I feel so bad for her. But, I also know the rehabilitation therapy has been very beneficial for her and she needs to build up our strength before she goes home.
They have still not scheduled the additional stent procedure. We have an appointment to see the cardiologist on Wednesday, August 25th. So hopefully we'll know more then.
She goes to therapy every morning, and I spend every afternoon and evening with her to keep her company.
Weather permitting, we go for a short walks in the courtyard, play computer games or just sit and talk.
In the evening, of course there's always "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune". Thank You Merv Griffin!
At this point it looks like she'll probably be here at least another week. That's good I suppose, since she's definitely getting stronger each day.
Unfortunately however, she's become very depressed. She wants desperately to go home and I understand that. Sometimes she just looks out the window and cries and I feel so bad for her. But, I also know the rehabilitation therapy has been very beneficial for her and she needs to build up our strength before she goes home.
They have still not scheduled the additional stent procedure. We have an appointment to see the cardiologist on Wednesday, August 25th. So hopefully we'll know more then.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
My Mom's in Rehab!
No - Not That Kind of Rehab!
She's actually in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, although believe it or not, they call it "ReHab" for short.
Which of course makes me giggle, because I keep thinking at any minute I might run into Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton. I think it's safe, though, since so far, I see no sign of the paparazzi. Come to think of it, this might be a good place for either of them to come and hide. A rehab center in South Jersey, owned and operated by Hasidic Jews is probably the last place anyone would ever look.
I keep joking with the staff here about running into celebrities, but they don't seem to get it. (Oh Lucy, where are you when I need you?)
Anyway, I guess I should bring you up-to-date...
Mom's doing pretty well. They take her to the gym downstairs every morning for physical therapy, and it does seem to be helping. She's walking better, and her physical strength and dexterity seems to be improving daily.
Unfortunately, she still has to go back to Jersey Shore Hospital for an additional stent procedure. That hasn't been scheduled yet, though. We're still waiting to hear from the doctor.
Here's a picture of my sister sitting with my mom in the courtyard of Atlantic Coast Rehabilitation Center.
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open).
She's actually in a Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, although believe it or not, they call it "ReHab" for short.
Which of course makes me giggle, because I keep thinking at any minute I might run into Lindsay Lohan or Paris Hilton. I think it's safe, though, since so far, I see no sign of the paparazzi. Come to think of it, this might be a good place for either of them to come and hide. A rehab center in South Jersey, owned and operated by Hasidic Jews is probably the last place anyone would ever look.
I keep joking with the staff here about running into celebrities, but they don't seem to get it. (Oh Lucy, where are you when I need you?)
Anyway, I guess I should bring you up-to-date...
Mom's doing pretty well. They take her to the gym downstairs every morning for physical therapy, and it does seem to be helping. She's walking better, and her physical strength and dexterity seems to be improving daily.
Unfortunately, she still has to go back to Jersey Shore Hospital for an additional stent procedure. That hasn't been scheduled yet, though. We're still waiting to hear from the doctor.
Here's a picture of my sister sitting with my mom in the courtyard of Atlantic Coast Rehabilitation Center.
 |
| Madeline and Mom in Rehab! |
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open).
Friday, August 6, 2010
An Update on My Mom's Condition
My mom had the cardiac catheterization, and they ended up putting in three stents. Believe it or not, she has to go back in a couple of weeks for a fourth. She was on the procedure table for the best part of four hours.
Early Thursday morning they transferred Mom by ambulance from the Kimball Medical Center to Jersey Shore Hospital which is where the procedure was eventually done. I say eventually because we were expecting it to all be over and done, by early that afternoon. As it turned out they didn't even begin until about 9 PM that night and didn't finish till sometime after midnight. Thankfully, my sister had driven down from Sussex to wait with me. It was really quite an ordeal. Mom was told she had to fast, and therefore hadn't eaten since dinner the night before. Needless to say she was not a happy camper.
All in all though, I guess everything went pretty well. They will be transferring mom to Atlantic Coast. Cardiac Rehabilitation Center sometime tomorrow.
Since it's almost 2 AM. I'm going to close this laptop now and try to get some sleep. I will keep you posted though.
Early Thursday morning they transferred Mom by ambulance from the Kimball Medical Center to Jersey Shore Hospital which is where the procedure was eventually done. I say eventually because we were expecting it to all be over and done, by early that afternoon. As it turned out they didn't even begin until about 9 PM that night and didn't finish till sometime after midnight. Thankfully, my sister had driven down from Sussex to wait with me. It was really quite an ordeal. Mom was told she had to fast, and therefore hadn't eaten since dinner the night before. Needless to say she was not a happy camper.
All in all though, I guess everything went pretty well. They will be transferring mom to Atlantic Coast. Cardiac Rehabilitation Center sometime tomorrow.
Since it's almost 2 AM. I'm going to close this laptop now and try to get some sleep. I will keep you posted though.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Things Don't Always Go As Planned
Well here it is Friday night, July 30, 2010 , and while I should be in Maine with my mom at the rehearsal dinner for my nephew's wedding. I'm actually still here in New Jersey with my mom, who is at the Kimball Medical Center.
For those of you who haven't heard by now. Mom had a heart attack earlier this week. "Such are the best laid plans of mice and men."
The good news is, she got out of CCU this morning and is now resting comfortably in a regular room. All her vital signs seem to be stable, although she does appear be pale and very weak. She is also experiencing some kidney failure and is having some blood sugar problems as well. They seem to think these conditions are manageable, though. As they're trying to build up her strength for a cardiac catheterization procedure, probably sometime next week.
Needless to say we both greatly regret having to miss the wedding. Not to mention the opportunity to see my sister-in-law, who hasn't been well either, and my nephews and nieces who live in Maine and we so seldom get to see.
Oh well, what can I say? It is what it is, and Stuff Happens! Sometimes you just have to cope!!
Just Thinking
For those of you who haven't heard by now. Mom had a heart attack earlier this week. "Such are the best laid plans of mice and men."
The good news is, she got out of CCU this morning and is now resting comfortably in a regular room. All her vital signs seem to be stable, although she does appear be pale and very weak. She is also experiencing some kidney failure and is having some blood sugar problems as well. They seem to think these conditions are manageable, though. As they're trying to build up her strength for a cardiac catheterization procedure, probably sometime next week.
Needless to say we both greatly regret having to miss the wedding. Not to mention the opportunity to see my sister-in-law, who hasn't been well either, and my nephews and nieces who live in Maine and we so seldom get to see.
Oh well, what can I say? It is what it is, and Stuff Happens! Sometimes you just have to cope!!
Just Thinking
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Time for Another Road Trip!
Well I'm off to New Jersey again, and other points North East. I'll be going to visit my mom and other family and friends. My nephew Eddie and his beautiful girlfriend Carrie will be getting married on July 31, 2010. Even though they live in the Boston area, the wedding will be held at Carrie's home in Maine. Which is great because it affords me the opportunity to see the rest of the O'Reilly Family which also lives in Maine. Even though I don't enjoy travel as much as I did when I was younger and healthier. I am in fact greatly looking forward to seeing everyone and I hope all goes well.
I will have my laptop with me, but I probably won't be blogging as much. But that's okay since it looks like they are finally getting the BP oil spill under control and Congress will be out of session for the August recess. I guess the country will survive without my contributions to the blogosphere.
I will have my laptop with me, but I probably won't be blogging as much. But that's okay since it looks like they are finally getting the BP oil spill under control and Congress will be out of session for the August recess. I guess the country will survive without my contributions to the blogosphere.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The 100,000 Barrel a Day Estimate Finally Begins to Gain Credibility!
CNN's Anderson Cooper talks to Congressman Markey about the BP Oil Spill worst case leak scenario: up to 100,000 barrels a day...
While I'm certainly glad that the mainstream media is finally giving the 100,000 barrel a day estimate some badly needed attention. I think it's worth pointing out that I first blogged about this back on May 13, 2010
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open). Or you can e-mail me direct at eddieoreilly@hotmail.com and your comment will be posted. And don't forget to check out my new blog Agnostic Thinking found at the following address... http://www.AgnosticThinking.BlogSpot.Com/ Dedicated just to Agnostic/Atheism, Rational Thinking, Gay Subculture And Related Topics.
While I'm certainly glad that the mainstream media is finally giving the 100,000 barrel a day estimate some badly needed attention. I think it's worth pointing out that I first blogged about this back on May 13, 2010
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open). Or you can e-mail me direct at eddieoreilly@hotmail.com and your comment will be posted. And don't forget to check out my new blog Agnostic Thinking found at the following address... http://www.AgnosticThinking.BlogSpot.Com/ Dedicated just to Agnostic/Atheism, Rational Thinking, Gay Subculture And Related Topics.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Bp Oil Spill - 70 Days and Counting!
Some quotes from BP CEO Tony Hayward about the disaster in the gulf.
Created by: Lisa Whiteman; Production Assistant: Sherry Goldberg; Photography: Associated Press, Daniel Beltra/Greenpeace, NASA
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open). Or you can e-mail me direct at eddieoreilly@hotmail.com and your comment will be posted. And don't forget to check out my new blog Agnostic Thinking found at the following address... http://www.AgnosticThinking.BlogSpot.Com/ Dedicated just to Agnostic/Atheism, Rational Thinking, Gay Subculture And Related Topics.
Created by: Lisa Whiteman; Production Assistant: Sherry Goldberg; Photography: Associated Press, Daniel Beltra/Greenpeace, NASA
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open). Or you can e-mail me direct at eddieoreilly@hotmail.com and your comment will be posted. And don't forget to check out my new blog Agnostic Thinking found at the following address... http://www.AgnosticThinking.BlogSpot.Com/ Dedicated just to Agnostic/Atheism, Rational Thinking, Gay Subculture And Related Topics.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
BP's Oil Spill Disaster 62 Days and Counting!
Thanks in part to NPR, PBS, and White House Pressure, we now have a way to watch the environmental crisis unfold in real time via a live video feed and a new BP Gulf Leak Meter.
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open). Or you can e-mail me direct at eddieoreilly@hotmail.com and your comment will be posted. And don't forget to check out my new blog Agnostic Thinking found at the following address... http://www.AgnosticThinking.BlogSpot.Com/ Dedicated just to Agnostic/Atheism, Rational Thinking, Gay Subculture And Related Topics.
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open). Or you can e-mail me direct at eddieoreilly@hotmail.com and your comment will be posted. And don't forget to check out my new blog Agnostic Thinking found at the following address... http://www.AgnosticThinking.BlogSpot.Com/ Dedicated just to Agnostic/Atheism, Rational Thinking, Gay Subculture And Related Topics.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
The "Party of No" Continues to Block Progress in Congress!
Whether it's by blocking Medicare payments to doctors or refusing to extend unemployment benefits during the biggest economic depression since the Great One, Republicans are obviously determined to see this administration fail. It doesn't seem to matter to them that they're destroying the country in the process.
At this critical juncture in American history when it's more important than ever that we all work together, Republicans have obviously chosen partisan politics over patriotism. How Sad.
Just Thinking Please feel free to comment...
At this critical juncture in American history when it's more important than ever that we all work together, Republicans have obviously chosen partisan politics over patriotism. How Sad.
Just Thinking Please feel free to comment...
Sunday, May 30, 2010
BP Admits "Top Kill" Has Failed!
That's right, the "Mud Method" hasn't worked either.
But how can that be?
Given all of today's "Modern Technology" this is supposed to be impossible!
Technology that the "Tea Party Crowd" has routinely endorsed by chanting "Drill Baby Drill".
Technology that the industry has always called "Fail-Safe".
Technology that John McCain and Sarah Palin called "Proven and Foolproof ".
Technology that on March 31, 2010 - President Obama himself called, "Completely Safe and Reliable".
"There's no 'Silver Bullet' to stop this leak," Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry finally admitted Saturday.
No Shit Sherlock!
Since 'deep-sea' offshore drilling only accounts for about 2% of our domestic oil production and considering the environmental risks, is it really true that we can't each cut back by at least 2%?
Just Thinking
Please feel free to comment below, ( just click on the word "Comments" if the panel is not open). Or you can e-mail me direct at eddieoreilly@hotmail.com and your comment will be posted. And don't forget to check out my new blog Agnostic Thinking found at the following address... http://www.AgnosticThinking.BlogSpot.Com/ Dedicated just to Agnostic/Atheism, Rational Thinking, Gay Subculture And Related Topics.
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