Sunday, 4 February 2024

How healthy are you?

 We are both managing some health issues. I know many of you can empathise. Thank you for your kind words. Mine are slowly improving, thankfully. We were talking about how we still feel pressure to achieve something during the day. Joseph Brian has that persistent cough, without many other symptoms. He has to use his puffer regularly, which is new to this stage of his life. He's never had asthma or anything. Teaching I used to get bronchitis and laryngitis. I haven't had a cold in ages! Most of my symptoms are eased, except for a bit of vertigo. I can manage 10 minutes on my elliptical machine. 

JB had his quarterly PSA test Friday. It is an adventure, but he makes an appointment at the lab (no charge as we live in Canada), and has the blood test. He usually needs them to use butterfly clips (green thing, below), in order for them to get a vein. 

For Christmas he was given this type of rechargeable hand warmers, as it help to get the vein. You plug them in and charge them, then insert them into the soft sock. They don't fit under gloves, maybe mitts would work!

He tried them, and found that it took a couple of hours for them to get up to temperature. Something we will have to remember. It is the same with the chemical ones, just so you know. They never warm up in time.

The good news is that it was an experienced nurse (we won't say 'old'!) who got it first time. What a relief. Sometimes they try his hands and both arms! Here he was in 2022 and 2020!



The next thing he has to do is go online to check the results. They were good! The PSA test is something he has to have prior to his Lupron injection this month since his prostate cancer surgery in 2014. This is good news, again. 

Our Ottawa kids have rented a hot tub for February! Here is Jean-Luc (my SIL) Friday night, Caitlin must have taken the photo! Isn't that a fun treat? Saturday was partly sunny, which makes for a nice relaxing adventure.

Here's to February!

13 comments:

Tom said...

...getting old isn't for sissies!

eileeninmd said...

I did not know you could rent a hot tub.
Take care, enjoy your day and have a happy week ahead.

RedPat said...

Love the hot tub idea. Good news on JB's medical front.

Barbara Rogers said...

Agreement on finding veins. Like the idea of warming them up first. My phlebotomist always tells me to drink a quart of water before I come to her office. She can usually find a place...but also uses the butterfly needles. I find lots of little bumps inside my elbows where I've scars from previous pricks. Glad you're feeling a bit better!

Anvilcloud said...

I think Sue's new handwarmers work quickly, and my new mitts do very well. Not cheap, but maybe worth it. From Amazon, of course.

tz_garden said...

Thank goodness for the experienced nurse, makes all the difference. Renting a hot tub, I never knew that was an option. He sure looks happy in there!

Olga said...

Knock wood, I have fewer health problems now than I did in my 30s and 40s. I am most grateful for my health however long I have it because at 75 it sure is not a given!

Nancy J said...

When I was in Wellington hospital after stent surgery, the young lady in the same room had to have an IV line inserted before they flew her back to the South Island. After numerous attempts, she was in tears and so much pain. In came a tall, young doctor, who said, I know what works, He filled a heavy duty blue glove with hot water, tied the top, and put in on her arm. Within a very short time, it was all go, and no trouble at all, this raised the vein to an acceptable amount. Maybe quicker than hand warmers.And cold weather doesn't help you, JB, either, even if the room is warm. Good Health??? Something we take for granted in young days, and for those who cannot venture out the front door, every day is a challenge. I am thankful for putting two feet on the floor every morning.!!! Keep warm.XXXX

Nancy J said...

Rent-a-tub??? What a grand thought.

Red said...

I think happiness contributes to good health. Be happy!

Patio Postcards said...

Good News for JB's test results. What a glorious weekend of sunshine so hopefully that will help with any lingering virus. I've been able to get outside for some walks & I was so surprised that I had moments of vertigo return, but then I noticed I had been walking with my head down ... my vertigo therapist said I "must" walk with my head up looking for a point in the horizon ... it works for me. How fun to be able to rent a hot tub - try before you buy.

Jeanie said...

Oh yay -- such good news for JB! I love that it's OK. I use those little handwarmers you buy in the store -- they seem to warm up pretty fast. Not instant -- but within a minute or two. This year I haven't had to use them at all!

Val Ewing said...

Good test results and I understand about health issues. They pretty much suck.
My hubby is in the last stages of COPD with other issues, but we try each day to make something pleasant happen.
Needle sticks! One of the girls at our clinic is so smooth and fantastic and the other one is a horror.

I cannot imagine a hot tub in winter! Wow!