QTπ will be 3 years old tomorrow.... of course we didnt get her until she was 2 months old....  but I do need to say she us a real cutie.....  she is sweet, patient, loving, shy, but agressive when provoked.....   she is probably more mine than Larry's, as LitaBit is more his. Where did we get ger name? She was named by our group of RV friends....... RVMutants.....

Ok been tired, no surprise....  actually have been feeling good just tired...   had my 6 month checkup yesterday, and now I know why....  i have been IDA, iron deficiency anemia for about 7 years now due to gastric surgery.  My serum ferritin level had dropped to 7 and I went through 4 rounds of iron iv infusion....   it is not that low, but it us the lowest it has been since then, and is too low,  so I am anticipating that Dr will be in contact with me next week to set up another round of IV infusions....

they dont hurt, just takes a couple of hours once a week...  and trying to fit them into cardiac rehab schedule and doctor appointments will just about take up every week day for the next 8 weeks......  so painting might not be as soon as i was thinking....  ahhhhh weekends.....   i thought every day was a weekend when you retired...  well for a few years it was....   Happy Weekend .........

Guess too many photos at one time just wont load....  here are some suggested ways for his MUST WEAR equipment....

Hmmmmm  recovery going well....  Larry is becoming more and more independent....   so this morning I spent all morning in my studio.....  i am getting back into painting...  havent done much in the last year because of travel and other things, like lst year I broke my right hanf, but it is time.....

I did get Larry out for a ride this afternoon, no destination, just getting him out and about...

Yesterday I organized his dressing supplies...  it was too hard for me to deal with the cardboard boxes....  i just couldnt see what was where...  will have to keep a week ahead on supplies so...  maybe I am a little bit OCD.....

Btw...  i have searched high and low, looking for a small bag on wheels/rollers...   would like smaller than the carry on bags...  WE have to take extra batteries and controller everywhere, plus extra water to drink... if you see one anywhere please let me know where....   so far, I cant find what I am wanting size wise....

Larry was funny as we were leaving the office, he was talking about carrying the weight everywhere.... I was carrying a bag with his extras, plus my purse, plus his jacket, plus his water.....  Tori and I just smiled and laughed....  when we told him he smiled.......

Cannot find a vest/harness that is quite comfortable for him...   will be making something as soon as he helps me figure out a design.  Funny neither of the other two guys we talked to could either.  There is one man locally who adapted a concealed carry pouch for his VAD parts...


Ok   Photos wont load tonight

I was gonna add some of the VAD equipment photos.

I HAVE ORDERED a bag that is 13x13... will see...  i appreciate the help....
bought one already, have one, both are too big and clunky,  really want a smaller one, thought about kid size, but handle too short for me....

What I was trying to find was one that is big enough for just the batteries and extra controller.  I can put extra batteries in a bag to take out and carry in, but this will be essential go with us equipment....  i just thought a roller bag would make it easier on me....

Doctor appointment today...... Left here at 10, got home at 2.......   slow moving
Actually they do a complete checkup.
Labs, chest xray, Tori did a dressing change, Dr Ransom did his usual, then a EKG, and an echocardiogram.....  all were good....  

Dont go back for 10 days, but he will begin cardio rehab next week....  3x a week.....

Today in clinic visited with 2 new/old friends.  One man and his wife were a week ahead of us, the other man and his  wife were a week behind us...  had talked to both while in the CVICU and on the floor....

Then I asked Larry what he wanted for lunch....  his response Firehouse Subs, go in and eat....
Surprised me...  nice, but he conveniently didnt take his wallet..   but I happily paid, but the price was to take his photo....

So here it is.... first lunch out, first meal out since end of January.....

Photos Anna took today...

Tea time again.....  this time inside because it is raining....
Had super visitors today.....
son David and family, Katie, Anna, and Hayes came down to check up on us.....
Katie is a psychiatrist, so she was doing her check, while kids did ultrasound BP checks on me..
I have cool playthings.
Then Anna pretty much made pizzas for us all.......  yes, dough from scratch...  i helped her proof the yeast, then she did all, to include reading the recipe....   each person got their own... wish I had gotten a photo, hers was heart shaped....

Anna did take a few photos...

But they arent wanting to upload....  so will do that after dinner....

Spent a little bit of time outside,
drinking a cuppa tea (Martin & Sue)
Watching LitaBit wander around.
QTπ sat in my lap most if the time
Listening to the birds
Watched a red headed woodpecker.
Calming time.

Good talk last night...  Larry is still worried about being plugged in the rest of his life,  but i keep reminding him without it, there is no rest, and I dont want to be alone yet.... so he said he never thought about it from my side....

but he did sleep better last night, which means I did too.

It is hard to see him plugged in, or carrying his batteries....  but think over time that will get easier too.   It has only been a week home...  he counts recovery from surgery date, but he had a setback that he forgets....

I dont think he has read this blog yet, but he is on his ipad right now....  i dont snoop, so not sure what he is doing.....   but he is doing something, that is good...  oh he said he just ordered coffee beans, he doesnt like my taste in beans....   i like darker with more flavor, he likes breakfast blend.... colored water....

I am getting out just about every day, running errands mostly, but forcing myself to get us both accustomed to me not always being there....   i worry when I leave him, but I know I have to.... he is to call his LVAD coordinator first, then 911, then me......  thats the order....  set his phone up so the LVAD is the first number on his contact list, as well as in his favorites...

Now trying to train the dogs so that when they hear his loud alarm, they are to come find me....  he tests it each morning, and can "check" it, so that is what I am working on..... they have been so good.. neither one has tried to jump into his lap, they will stand in front of him for their scratches....  they havent barked at any of the home health nurses, they know they have to stay out when doing dressing changes....

Wish most of our friends were closer in miles, phone just isnt the same..

This memory popped up on my facebook today..

Lack of energy seems to be Larry's main complaint now....  he says he just cant get over the hump.....
So trying to get him to drink more muscle milk and protein...  lol but he hates the taste.

I also think this is depression....  which is to be expected.  I keep trying to get him to go gor a ride with me...  nope, but at least he will go sit on the deck some....

I dont see him on his ipad much, maybe soon he will respond to some of our friends....