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| Watermelon Harvest |
The compost heap grew a watermelon vine, this year, which was very exciting to me, but, it didn't do well during our heatwaves and today, M picked the only melon that had grown on it - it was bug eaten on the underside, but, I had to take a photo of it before I threw it back on to the compost heap. That is a quarter (25 cents) coin, next to it, for size comparison. I think the melon was about two inches in diameter! Definitely not the year for growing watermelons!
Today, I had my appointment with the oncology nurse practitioner for a regular quarterly check up. I called the clinic in the morning to confirm my appointment, just to make sure there were no last minute changes or cancellations. It was confirmed and I got ready.
My appointment was for 1:00 p.m. and I left the house at 11:45 p.m. The first part of the drive was good, but, there was traffic closer to downtown. I reached the clinic at 12:50 p.m., with 10 minutes to spare (they ask you to come in 15 minutes early to check in, etc.). This time, the clinic wasn't crowded and everyone in the waiting room and all the staff were properly masked.
I didn't have a long wait before I was called in, weighed, blood pressure checked, etc. and shown to an examination room. There was a short wait for the nurse practitioner to come in, but, she popped in for a moment to let me know that she had one other person to see before she could see me, which was nice of her to do. I did a crossword puzzle or two while I waited.
Once she was able to see me, she went over my recent blood test results with me. Most of the results were good, one thing was too low, a few things were too high, but, the cancer markers were within normal range and overall, things were fine. She made an adjustment to the amount of vitamin D supplements I was taking, instructing me to take one every other day instead of daily. Then, she put in a request for a bone density scan for me (I'll be notified when insurance authorizes it) and I received my injection to boost bone density. I left the clinic at 2:00 p.m. and drove home. I enjoyed the drive home because I could relax, as there was no rush to be anywhere on time and I had the air conditioning on! It was 95F when I got home at 3:00 p.m.
I rested a bit after I got home and responded to blog comments, etc. M arrived around 4:00 p.m. to tend to the garden. He tidied the place a bit, weeded, watered, and got stung by a wasp when he went to prune one of the lemon trees! Apparently, there was a wasps' nest in the lemon tree, after all! I felt awful about it, but, he brushed aside my concerns, saying he applied some aloe vera gel from the plant growing in the pot on the back steps. I'll text him, tomorrow, to check on him.
In the evening, I checked on my cousin who is still recovering from Covid (she said she's doing a bit better) and chatted with friend R. Later, I video chatted with my daughter.
Today, I am grateful for:
- M seemed to be OK after being stung by a wasp
- A safe drive to the clinic and back
- A relatively good blood test report
- Having health insurance
- Chats with family and friends
Today's joyful activities included gardening and video chatting with my daughter.
Plans for tomorrow include tending to a few things around the house that were neglected over the past couple of days!
How was your Friday? What are your weekend plans?
I'm pleased to here all your results are good with a couple of exceptions and good to know you will be having that scan. You do have more frequent and thorough check-ups than I have here with our NHS. I hope M is going to be alright, those wasp stings are nasty and painful, it's handy to have an aloe vera plant nearby for such happenings. Good to know your cousin is recovering well from Covid. No plans here just catching up with some housework again!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eileen. I am glad that I have these quarterly check-ups, although I wouldn't mind it if they say every 6 months would be sufficient. I texted M this morning to ask how he was doing, but, he hasn't replied, yet. I hope he is OK. The aloe vera plant was a gift from him! I hope you are having a relaxed day. :)
DeleteYour appointment sounds routine which is a good thing. :) Nothing much exciting going on here for the weekend. I have to work today and my son is coming for a visit - always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteIt was quite routine, June, and that's a blessing, isn't it? I hope you have a good day at work and enjoy your son's visit. Have a lovely weekend; hope it won't be too hot! :)
DeleteGlad to hear that your medical appointment went well and the results were mostly good. Will it take long to get the approval for the bone density scan or does that sort of thing usually come through quickly?
ReplyDeleteThat wasn't pleasant for M getting stung by a wasp. I hope he continues to be okay with not nasty after effects. Will you have the nest removed?
The watermelon did its best but the end result was a bit underwhelming. Better luck next year!
I'm having a pottering sort of weekend, so a mix of piano, reading, unpacking and displaying treasures, and posting my monthly challenge photos.
Thank you, Eileen. It usually takes about 3 weeks or so for the approval for scans to come through. I'd probably receive it by the end of August.
DeleteI texted M this morning to find out how he is doing, but, he hasn't replied to my text yet. Saturdays are his busy days. I do know he's not allergic to wasp stings because he had mentioned being stung at another client's garden, earlier. I usually get wasp nests under my eaves and either M or I knock them off with a broom stick - this is the first time I've had them in a tree! I looked in the lemon tree to see if I could find it, but, I am unable to see it. We will just give that tree a wide berth and then, prune the tree after the wasps have left!
That poor watermelon! It tried!
I like the sound of your weekend. I still need to finish up the monthly challenge photos! Fortunately, I have till tomorrow, right? :)
It certainly doesn't seem to be the year for your melons and zucchini. Too bad about the wasp sting. At least M was able to use your aloe vera. I hadn't thought of using that. I guess a bone density test is one of the lesser discomforts, apart from having to lie on a hard table!
ReplyDeleteWe have a long weekend and the town was busy when I went to pick up some groceries (DS and family are coming for an overnight stay). I couldn't park near one of the stores but fortunately I only needed 2 bags which weren't too heavy.
It hasn't been a very good year for my summer vegetables and fruits. But, I shall look forward to fall and winter. :)
DeleteI texted M to find out how he is faring today, but, so far, he hasn't texted me back. Hopefully, he is OK. The aloe vera is a plant he gave me from his garden - I'm sure he's glad he did!
I don't mind the bone density tests. Not half as uncomfortable as some of the other tests! :D
Oh, how nice to have DS and family come for an overnight stay! I'm glad you were able to get the groceries you needed and the bags weren't too heavy to carry to the car. Enjoy your weekend and company, Bushlady. :)
I'm glad your results have returned okay. They always seem very thorough. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules; yes, they check for quite a few things and the report is usually 3 pages long. :)
DeleteI'm so glad your tests came back ok, and especially that the cancer markers were good. I hope you are having a better day and I'm so sorry you were stressed. Hopefully M is also well after that sting. Have a good evening.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Celie. Today has been a good day (except for an incident with a rooster, that I'll write about, later) and M texted back that he's fine. Hope your weekend is going well.
DeleteGlad the appointment went well! Must have been a relief.
ReplyDeleteThank you; yes, it was! :)
DeleteI am glad to hear the test results were pretty good, and a bit of tweaking is not much to worry about, so I am sure you felt a flood of relief. And I am glad M is okay; wasn't it handy to have aloe right on the spot.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susanne. Yes, a bit of tweaking of meds, diet, live style changes, etc., and things should improve. :)
DeleteI, too, am glad that M is fine! It was an aloe plant that he gave me and yes, it has come in use several times, now!
Oh good - it's good to have a good doctor's visit. It puts the mind at ease.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you didn't have to wait like you did the other day when you had your blood taken.
I used to go to an endocrinologist that had a really long wait.
Hours sometimes.
I'd sit in the waiting room and think to myself that I was never going to come back again. This would be the last time.
Then you'd get into her office and change your mind every time.
She was just the best doctor.
Of course, that's why the schedule got so whacky because being a really good doctor can take time.
I no longer go to her as she's now retired but she is my measuring stick for other doctors :)
Yes, the doctor's visit went well. Sometimes, there is a long wait - usually when one or two of the doctors have to take a day off unexpectedly; then, the other medical staff have to cover for them and have additional patients to check on. Your endocrinologist sounds like she was a wonderful doctor! :)
DeleteYes, she was. About 15 years ago I had food poisoning and had to spend the night in the hospital I was so dehydrated. While there it was discovered my thyroid was all whacky and she happened to be the endocrinologist on call so she came in to see me.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky how that worked out.
Sounds like that unfortunate incident with the food poisoning ended up well. :)
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