Random Mind, Random Thoughts
Pondering surgery and crepiness and breakfast
Man. I woke up begrudgingly today. It’s as though my body knew I didn’t really feel like doing, well, today. And mind you, it was nothing terrible, just a consult for an orthopedist regarding Ernie’s rotator cuff tear. I just didn’t want to deal with it, to think about him having another surgery. I get tired of doctor appointments and new issues. I also had this vague sense of irritation that he came to bed so late last night because he slept in front of the tv for a few hours. Who is he hurting when he sleeps in front of the tv? NOBODY. Why does it make me crazy? I DON’T KNOW. Things don’t always make sense. I really need to stop getting irritated and he needs to stop feeling as though it’s a personal failing if he goes to bed before a certain time. Goals for everybody!
However.
It was fine. We like Dr. Bane. He has done both of Ernie’s previous rotator cuff surgeries (sigh). We talked about options and finally left it that he was going to talk to Vasireddy about it. I told him we adore Vasireddy and put all our trust in him so whatever he thinks is best is good for us. I also did mention in there that last time we’d seen his PA he had assumed Ernie shouldn’t have surgery because he had cancer and that Vasireddy had been appalled, as was I. BUT, these are different times. So we shall wait and see. Ernie could do physical therapy but it doesn’t address the actual problem, just helps your muscles compensate. My physical therapy is the same, although it is helpful in some ways, it does nothing for the root cause. Eh.
Afterwards Ernie suggested breakfast out. I demurred—we’d just had some diner breakfasts, it was too much money—but then I weakened.
I gotta say, Champaign breakfasts are a hell of a lot more expensive than central Ohio breakfasts. Whew. It was delightful though and my back did ok (until it didn’t.)
We got a window booth. Here is Ernie posing with Road Guy. Road Guy is part of the family of walking aids. I suppose he is Little Guy’s cousin if you want to get technical. He lives by the back door because I can’t carry Little Guy down the steps, and he goes on trips whereas Little Guy lives inside. I need to get Road Guy his own set of skis. The things one learns. Get your walkers skis, people.
The hash browns won the plate. A point for excellent iced tea, but a ding for no iced tea spoon.
Before he pulled his debit card out to pay, he pulled out this now depleted gift card (from our beloved Pat and Diane) with Olney’s picture on it. Ernie just keeps it in his wallet for comfort.
Ok, now a few random notes and questions.
Look how long my baby’s hair is!
Does anyone still get Bon Appetit magazine? Am I crazy or are they dumbing it down BIGTIME?
Not that I don’t love a Chicago hot dog and they gave our (damn, I gotta think of another word for beloved) beloved Superdawg top billing but…. AND here is a two page spread telling us it’s ok to use frozen vegetables.
God knows it’s gone through a lot of iterations but this feels like a last gasp.
Awww, look at this. This is what happens when you hit the neighbor lottery. Love you Barb.
Byron’s gofundme campaign is still going. There will be a benefit concert on Sunday, March 3, 2024 with some of the big lights from the Iowa roots community including Greg Brown coming together to help save Byron’s. Here’s a short video I put together for them.
And here is a video I did for the general campaign.
I swear there was more I wanted to tell you, or rant about, but my mind is a blur. Since beginning this post we have had numerous conversations with doctors, nurses and schedulers and it now stands that Ernie’s blood draw for his February 29 treatment at Carle has been moved to February 27 to accommodate a bunch of scans and a doctor appointment at Barnes on the 28th. AND Vasireddy and Bane spoke and decided to move ahead with a shoulder replacement for Ernie but they will start physical therapy in order to help get insurance authorization. It sounds simple when I write it out but getting that all sorted out had my mind whirling.
Let’s see. What else? OH. RIGHT. None of you little shits did my survey (except you, Debbie). Come ON…it’s easy and I’ll put it right here for you. Ok, thank you. It took me a good hour to figure out how to see the results so it was quite sad when I saw them. Don’t worry, it’s anonymous, I could just tell it was Debbie by her answers.
One last picture because it gave me pause. Since I am the photographer of record for the family there are of course almost no photos of me. If there weren’t all those post house concert shots I would be your imaginary friend. Ernie took a picture of me at OHOP and I thought, “Oh, I actually don’t hate that.” Then I went to edit it and was horrified by the crepey skin of my cleavage. I mused. I pondered. And then I started to try to make it….less so. But, then I stopped, because that’s not who I am (the person who touches up her photos), this picture is who I am, crepiness and all.
Onward.
Love,
Cynthia
You look wonderfully like my friend Cynthia.
I did the survey - hope it comes through! 🥰