Monday, September 26, 2022

I Did Survive

 What a day. 

I ended up taking one and a half of my three- year old Ativans before I got to the appointment. That's only .75 of a milligram but that's a lot for me. 

Did it help? 
Oh, who knows? 
I cried when the sweet nurse guy came in to get my vitals. Get this- he doesn't say, "Step up on the scale," he says, "Would you mind stepping on the scale?" 
Of course I didn't want to but I did. Respect, y'all. We all need it. My blood pressure was high. This is expected. They don't freak out. The nurse said, "Well, I'm sure that Dr. Z. will retake it before you leave after he does his magic. 
And he did and it had dropped considerably. 

My bloodwork results had not made it to the office yet so I could be dying anyway but everything else seems okay. He never makes me get in a paper gown, he just has this magical way of getting me up on the table and doing a quick exam of the important things that I don't even remember after he's done them. The man has a gift. 

I cried in front of him, too. He doesn't laugh at me. He knows this is a serious situation for me. But he is so kind and so caring. And unless something weird turns up on the bloodwork, I don't have to go back for another year. 

After I left I did a little pre-hurricane shopping. I was not the only one. None of us really know at this point what effect the storm is going to have on us. But for now, Ian is a category 2 storm and is definitely going to impact a lot of people. Right now it would appear that it is going to take a more easterly course as it approaches Florida, which would put in near Tampa. My trusted meteorologist posted this after the five o'clock update. 


Some very dear friends of mine AND our sister blogger, e, live in that area. It is the strangest thing, having in mind that even as we hope that a hurricane will not hit us, it will hit someone else. We feel guilty when we have thoughts of gratefulness that it may not bring destruction to our area. I guess this is a good time to try and practice a little Zen-like thinking, knowing that we cannot control these things, that none of us have special powers that can move a storm's path, endangering others. 

Sigh. 

But you know what? Here's something very, very important. Today is Owen's thirteenth birthday. Some of you may remember these pictures. 





Thirteen. Taller than me now. He is the sweetest, finest boy. He is a loving and caring big brother to his siblings. He is smart.
He made me a grandmother. He gave me my grandmother name. 


And I will never forget the strength that his mother displayed, getting him here. And tomorrow is her birthday. 
Goodness. 
And glory. 

Here's a little Florida meme for you. 


If you can't laugh, you're done for. 

Love...Ms. Moon

41 comments:

  1. 37paddington:
    You survived! And all is well. Happy birthday to dear Owen, who was just a little tyke when I first found you and now he is well and truly a teenager. And a beautiful soul. I hope you all stay safe from the storm. I have people in its path too, one way or the other. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, dear Rosemarie! I did survive, although I feel bruised (emotionally) today.
      Can you believe that Owen is a teenager? He'll be in college before we know it.
      I am so worried about so many people in the path of this storm. I just saw a satellite view of it and it is terrifying. May all of yours be safe.

      Delete
  2. You survived, so glad, and the doctor was kind, also glad. Happy birthday to Owen! Born do close to his mom's day, too
    I've been texting Florida friends anxiously and been instructed to stop that worrying! But I can't help being concerned anyway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's impossible not to worry for those in the direct path of a storm like this. It's a different kind of worry than when it's you and your family who are in that path but it is still a deep worry.

      Delete
  3. I love that meme!
    I'm so glad you made it through the appointment. Happy birthday to Owen and to Lily.
    Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Your doctor sounds like a fine man. There should be more like him. Your blood work will be fine.
    Happy birthday to Owen and his mum (I can't be bothered working out what day it is there but it's Tuesday here!)
    Sending you safe thoughts that Ian shrinks to nothing but it's good to see you still have your sense of humour. Namaste to you to.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it's Tuesday here now. It may already be Wednesday for you!
      My doctor is so very kind.
      Thank you for your good wishes.

      Delete
  5. So glad you survived appointment with flying colors......and it's over! Yes! Ian.....darn.....Ian will wreak havoc, for sure.....I only hope it's not too horrible and I keep all in his path close to my heart. and I can't believe Owen is 13! Party? I recall the day he was born.....have I really been following you THAT long? Yes.....and a momentous day for all. And a happy Birthday to his dear mother Lily as well......... oh my, time does fly. Hope you enjoy a much needed Martini tonight...... who cares if it isn't Friday? I think you would much enjoy one tonight
    Susan M

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ian has already done so much damage in Cuba and killed at least two people. These storms are just horrible.
      I think we're going to have a party on Saturday for all the birthday people. I hope so!

      Delete
  6. As I just said over on the Facebook, happy bday to the one that dubbed you Mer. And as I say every damn year on this day, happy blog discovery day to me - because I started reading BoH just before Owen's arrival. 4,745 days of blog posts according to Alexa. Lucky me!!

    And I have been thinking how I hope Ian doesn't go crazy over by my FL house in Daytona but that by thinking that I am hoping it steers towards others - so I can relate to what you said.

    I'll be thinking about you and everyone else in its path.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh my gosh, really, Jill! That's so crazy. You've known me forever!
      This weird guilt about not wanting the storm to hit us but knowing that it will hit others is most strange, isn't it?
      I hope it avoids your house. I had no idea you had a house in Daytona. Or did I?

      Delete
  7. Owen is a charmer, lovely lad. Thirteen, oh dearie me! I hope the girls treat him nicely- that age is wacko. Medals ought to be given this day- to you for bravest patient in the clinic, Owen for birthday, Lily for stellar Mom ! The medals shall be made of the sparkliest magic known to man.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope the girls treat him nicely too! If, of course, it turns out that he likes girls in that way. He does not discuss this with me.
      How I love the idea of sparkly magic medals! I would award you two of them!

      Delete
  8. Thirteen years! So many of us measure by Owen, and some before. I remember when I found you and didn't know a thing about Blogger or blogging, and had to bookmark your blog and read it when I needed joy and sorrow and downright living. Like surviving today's doctor visit!
    You will be hurricane safe even it is more Tallahassee minded than Tampa. Saturday morning the old back porches will gleam as ever, with trash to sweep away, like always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne, that made me feel better than anything else has for a very long time. Thank you. You are precious.
      I think this storm is going to give us very little trouble here in the panhandle. But on the coast below us...they are going to have to hold on for dear life.

      Delete
  9. Glad that appointment is behind you. Your family has a great deal to celebrate. Party on!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Birthday to Owen and Lily! How quickly our babies grow! Glad your day went well. Hope all stay safe from the storm.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wishing Owen many happy returns of the day!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Happy Birthday Owen and Lily!! Happy it is done day for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Honey- I sure am thinking of you. Be safe. Let us know how you are.

      Delete
  13. "Namaste here" Ha Ha. I'm hoping Ian will get all polite and veer out to sea. Owen was such a beautiful baby! and is now a handsome young man. Happy Birthday.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The problem with hurricanes in the gulf is that no matter which way they had, they are gonna hit someone! There's a lot of land in that space.
      Owen was a beautiful baby and now he is a beautiful boy-man. I adore him so.

      Delete
  14. I'm glad that your doctor visit went as well as it could and may you not have to visit again for another year! And happy birthday to beautiful Owen. He's always had such an angelic face. I can't believe how many years have gone by and how grown he is! Thank you, Mary, for sharing these beautiful grandchildren with us. It's been such a joy to watch them grow through your eyes. I think we can all say "metta" for the hurricane: May you all be happy. May you all be peaceful. May no troubles come to you. May no obstacles come to you. May you be at ease.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for that benevolence, Elizabeth. And thank you for being one of the people who have been with me, sharing the lives of our children and grandchildren together. I love you.

      Delete
  15. I'm glad your doctor visit is over - some doctors just have "the knack" don't they! And happy birthday Owen - where did the time go, right? And I laughed at that meme!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some doctors do indeed have a gift. Far too few in my experience.

      Delete
  16. I am so happy for you that this appointment is over and you did so well!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really did not do that well but that is over for now. Thank you, Sabine.

      Delete
  17. LOL at your Namaste meme! Happy birthday to Owen. So glad your medical visit is past you for another year. As for Ian, it's aiming at the epicenter of my upbringing and so many people I know and love -- but at least it's expected to be a fairly weak storm by then, as hurricanes go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phew, Steve. This storm is something else. I, too, have people in that area whom I love. No family, though. May everyone be safe. I think it's going to be a fairly large storm when it hits.

      Delete
    2. Well, initially I saw a Cat 2 when it comes ashore -- which is what I was remembering when I wrote that comment -- but now I see stronger numbers. So who knows.

      Delete
  18. I agree, Owen is a special person. And no doctor for you for a year. I'm glad you won't be receiving the brunt of the storm as it looks now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ellen. And the relief in feeling that the storm won't be headed to us is so tainted with the worry for the ones it will be headed towards. You know this feeling well, I am sure.

      Delete
  19. Thanks, I needed that laugh! Happiest thanksgiving f birthdays to Owen and Lily! I do remember those pictures, I’m surprised so much time has passed! I’m not super woo woo but I’ve got candles lit for everyone on the west coast, including e and your friends. I think when we get a near miss knowing someone else will suffer is a form of survivor’s guilt. I’m hoping so hard for minimal suffering.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara, it makes me a little more peaceful, knowing that you have lit candles. Thank you.

      Delete
  20. Ok I don’t know why automofo stuck thanksgiving in there. It has a mind of its own.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

    ReplyDelete

Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.