Monday, November 22, 2021

All Is Well


 I really do love cranberry sauce in all of its many versions but I think the thing about the fruit that brings me most joy is the color. I mean- look at that! Scarlet as can be. And then, when they are cooked they turn into rubies. Both forms are gorgeous. I know there are many people who choose the canned sauce because of the deep ritual of it and that is fine with me but I need to make my own just because of the color and the lovely pop of the berries as they cook with the sugar and water. I made my sauce this morning before we left to go to Mr. Moon's appointment and now it is in the refrigerator, waiting for its place on the Thanksgiving table. 

The procedure went well. He had a colonoscopy AND endoscopy as he suffers heartburn. The colonoscopy looked fine but he has to double up on his heartburn medicine for three months and return to get that looked at again. As the doctor said, "Go home and do some healing." 
The whole thing did not take very long except for waiting for the doctor to come and give us his two minute (if that) report. But the anesthesia they give for the procedures is pretty intense and my husband needed every minute he got to truly wake up. Or sort of wake up. He woke up enough to want a Popeye's spicy chicken sandwich and despite my better judgement on that, that's what he got. I was not about to argue at that point. 
I drove him home as carefully and smoothly as I could and he slept most of the way, came in, got into his chair, and slept some more. As I recall from when I got a colonoscopy, I hated that part of it- losing a long period of memory, knowing I had been talking and interacting and not remembering a bit of it. I kept asking my husband later- did I really see the doctor? Did he really say everything was okay?

I'm going to make him a nice creamy cashew butternut and sweet potato soup. I've had a butternut squash just waiting to be honored in such a way. It is a good soup. A very good soup. 

It's been a long day but it's gone okay. I hope I remember the guy who was waiting for his wife's procedure to be over in the waiting room who was seated near me. He had asked Mr. Moon how tall he was and we ended up going at the same time to pull our cars up to the door for our spouse-patients to be wheeled out. Turns out we've both been married for thirty-seven years and we had a little chat in the elevator. 
"You have a good life!" he said, as we parted in the parking lot. 
"You too!" I said. 
It felt a little like a blessing. 
Having my husband come through the procedure well is an even greater one. 

Here's a Camellia Sasanqua. 


I believe it is called Yuletide.


The sort-of altar table in the hallway where there will be camellias from now until spring. 
Another blessing, for sure. 

Love...Ms. Moon



22 comments:

  1. Very glad on the good report. My gut doctor can't remember the polite title, was very big on DGL licorice to heal my inflamed esophagus (side effect of meds). It doesn't affect bp or anything because it's deglycorrized or some such spelling. That removes the concerns but it fixed up my agonized esop a treat. Just saying. Not rx.

    I alternate with cranberry sauce. Son likes canned, I like from scratch. This year it's canned.

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    1. I've never heard that about licorice and indeed, did not know there are different kinds! I will check that out. Thank you!
      Enjoy your canned cranberries this year! You know, you could also make the fresh kind and then make a sort of pureed preserves with what's left and some apples. Maybe?

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  2. though I am not a fast food person......I SO wish we had a Popeyes here on the west coast. NOT. Glad his procedures done and I know he will enjoy your lovely soup (and likely bread too)....... cranberries....to die for. Not making Moms relish this year cuz hubby doesn't eat sugar......but we will make do with other things! May Mr Moon sleep well and feel good tomorrow!
    Susan M

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    1. I have to say that the sandwich was pretty okay. I'd never had one. Not a food I generally eat. Or, ever.
      I'm sorry you won't be making your relish. I'm sure you will survive, though.

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  3. I'm glad everything went well and Mr. Moon is home and sleeping it off.

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    1. It took quite a bit of sleeping it off. I swear.

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  4. I am glad of your blessings. That soup sounds amazing.

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  5. I'm glad that it all went well. I'm sorry that I've been so scarce around these parts. I've missed you here. I love cranberry sauce, too, and hopefully, I'll get to it tomorrow.

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    1. Are you making Thanksgiving dinner? I can't imagine that you won't be. Miss you too.

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  6. I'm glad to hear the procedure went well. It sounds like Mr. Moon's was more intense than I remember a colonoscopy being -- maybe because he also had the endoscopy. I'm sure he's glad it's over! Your cranberries look beautiful.

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    1. It was a LOT! I'm almost wondering if they didn't overdo the anesthesia. It seemed like it took him way longer to recover than it should have.

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  7. What a coincidence that the two waiting spouses had each been married for thirty seven years to the people enduring these procedures. Good to hear that Mr Moon got through it all and there was a triumphant trumpet call from the doctor before you headed home. I doubt that Popeye will be too happy when he finds his spicy chicken sandwich has gone.

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    1. Your last sentence made me laugh. At least we left Popeye's spinach behind so that he can continue to be strong to the finish.

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  8. Good to hear that Mr Moon made it through the procedures.

    Laughed your comment on the memory issue from the sedation because when I had the similar procedures (endo/colon), I asked my doctor afterwards if I should have been aware of what was going on. He said, no. I shouldn't have any memory of it at all. So I asked him, "Then you didn't have a conversation with the nurses about how the hospital's CEO was a cretin?" You should have seen his face--umm, yes, I guess he did and I remembered it. :)

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  9. Always glad when people make it through heinous diagnostic procedures. I probably won't make my cranberry sauce til tomorrow but I already have the cranberries. This morning I'll make the cornbread and set it out to get a little stale for the dressing, same with the bread, setting it out I mean. I'm going to have to try that soup now that I'm hearing about it from you as well as Boud. I still have three small butternuts left from this summer's harvest not to mention all the cooked that's in the freezer.

    Those camellias are gorgeous.

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    1. Oh hell. You've reminded me I need to make my little cornbread to set out too. Thank you, Ellen!
      I hope your soup is good!

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  10. Glad the procedures went well. I can't believe how often my life overlaps with something going on in your life - I had my endoscopy last week! So I am on meds for my stomach, too, altho all is well really. Good for us!

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    1. Really? It is funny how often our experiences seem to mirror each other. All us blogger people. I'm glad your report was okay too.

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  11. I'm glad Mr. Moon's procedure is done and dusted (I bet he is too)! Just out of curiosity, roughly how long did it take from start to finish if you remember? I remember waiting about an hour for my ex years ago but he thought he'd tough it out and do it without anaesthetic (a big mistake apparently). On Thursday I have to take my friend who will be put out and I need to figure out if I should hang around or go home in between!

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    1. His procedure probably only too about forty five minutes but recovery took awhile. It depends on how far away you live to decide whether to go home or not. I just took some reading material and was happy just sitting in the waiting room.

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