FoxPhile

Typing this on my new 2-in-1 laptop. I haven't owned my own laptop since 2000, and I bought this because at some point I'll have to give up my work laptop. Since it's a 2-in-1, it's small and takes a bit of getting used to.

FoxPhile

Glad that Fall is here!

FoxPhile

I moved my little home office corner into the den. It makes me closer to the kitchen so I can get more coffee, but I'm further away from the bathroom. Not sure if this is really a wise move.

WeBuiltThePyramids

Hahaha

FoxPhile

Time to start thinking about clearing out my garden. I tried planting a winter garden last year and failed miserably so I think this winter I'll work on refurbishing my raised garden bed. It's got to be 20 years old or more and it's really starting to fall apart.

FoxPhile

I'm hoping to find someone to hire to do occasional yard work. I have a guy who mows the grass, but I need someone who can tend flower beds and do all the extra stuff.

FoxPhile

My brother is in the hospital. His pacemaker zapped him 4 times in the last 3 days, so they are doing a lot of tests to see if there is something they can fix.

WeBuiltThePyramids

Oh no! I'll be thinking of you and him.

FoxPhile

Thank you. They are doing a cardiac cath today and they may put in a stent if they find any blockages. Keeping my fingers crossed!

WeBuiltThePyramids

Please keep us updated!

FoxPhile

My brother is home. They did find a blockage and put in a new stent, which is good. It means there was a good and fixable reason for his problems and not just that his heart is getting weaker. This is a big relief.

WeBuiltThePyramids

Oh that is great news!

I definitely know the feeling of "I hope they find something wrong so it can be fixed."

FoxPhile

He told me today that he took his dog for a short walk and didn't get out of breath, which is a big change from recent weeks. We've talked about he needs to pay more attention to signs like that and not just assume that it's part of getting older.

WeBuiltThePyramids

Good! I have those talks with my mom a lot, I'm like "please stop trying to be a Tough Lady and get things checked out even if you're just doing it for (my sister) and I."

FoxPhile

My brother's experience just proves that there is SO MUCH these days that doctors can do to mitigate health problems in ways that both prolong and improve our lives - especially for seniors. It really pays to discuss ANY problems with a doctor. The worst they can do is tell you there's nothing they can do and you just have to live with it.

I had a similar experience recently when I complained to my doctor about a (TMI) digestive problem I'd had for over 30 years. I'd mentioned it to doctors for years, but never really explained how much of a problem it sometimes was. But it was getting to the point that it was so bad I had to worry about leaving the house. I went to a specialist who put me on a drug that works almost like magic. Within 3 days the problem was gone. Like, completely gone. It's been a miracle in my life and although it means I have to take two HUGE pills every day for the rest of my life, this is a case where I really don't mind. It's made such a difference in my life. The crazy thing is, this drug has been around since the 70s, so I dealt with this issue for 30 years needlessly because I assumed that there wasn't much to be done and so I never stressed the problem to my doctors.