June Bug [rant]

[Pencil]

Go!

[JackieLikesVariety]

I'm tired of working but need to figure out an entire new career way to earn a living anyway because I can never afford to retire this way. dammit.

[Zeener Diode]

I was stalked by a junebug while in Louisiana. I'm convinced it was a very small drone.

[3acres]

Originally Posted by Zeener Diode

I was stalked by a junebug while in Louisiana. I'm convinced it was a very small drone.

Once upon a time, when I was still young, Don and I rented a house with no a/c and no screens, so June bugs were always getting in. But Don had the answer: a pellet gun. Fond memories of sitting on the couch, blazing doobies, drinking beers from a cooler (so we wouldn't have to walk all the way to the kitchen), and taking turns sniping June bugs on the living room walls. Don patched the divots with toothpaste when we moved out.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by 3acres

Once upon a time, when I was still young, Don and I rented a house with no a/c and no screens, so June bugs were always getting in. But Don had the answer: a pellet gun. Fond memories of sitting on the couch, blazing doobies, drinking beers from a cooler (so we wouldn't have to walk all the way to the kitchen), and taking turns sniping June bugs on the living room walls. Don patched the divots with toothpaste when we moved out.

what a great story! I now want to visit somewhere in the deep south with no AC and no screens.

I hate both humidity and bugs so that's quite an accomplishment!


and who is Don, if you care to explain.

[3acres]

I met Don because he was a high school friend's cousin. He needed a place to stay when he got divorced, so he moved in with me. He got me started on aquariums. Got me a gig on Monday nights at a small FM station - he did rock and roll on Saturdays; I played 'Southern rock'. We both quit our day jobs and started college in the fall - he went to University of Missouri and I went to Missouri State. He died that year. Some strange, fast neurological disease. We all figured it was from Agent Blue and Agent Orange because he'd told us about them getting sprayed - he was a C.O. draftee and was a medic with some Marine unit. .

[JackieLikesVariety]

damn, so young.

[What Exit?]

My brother ended up in the hospital this morning. He felt off and left work early yesterday.

He woke up this morning bloody and didn't remember how it happened. He cut his chin and knocked some teeth loose. As of 8pm, he's still parked in a hallway.

My sister was with him most of the day. She's an RN, even got one of her Doctors to check on him. So no heart attack, no stroke and no TIA. No idea of the cause yet.

He had a quadruple bypass last year. I'm pretty worried.

[picunurse]

Originally Posted by JackieLikesVariety

what a great story! I now want to visit somewhere in the deep south with no AC and no screens.

I hate both humidity and bugs so that's quite an accomplishment!


and who is Don, if you care to explain.

You don't have to go too far south, they have Jun Bugs in Missouri and Kansas.

[Senpai]

Whoever scheduled my Social Security disability mandated physical to be at 8 AM on a Friday, literally fuck you. Fuck you for making it that early in general. I'm a half-hour away from this place, too.

Fuuuuckkk. Youuuuuu.

[3acres]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

My brother ended up in the hospital this morning. He felt off and left work early yesterday.

He woke up this morning bloody and didn't remember how it happened. He cut his chin and knocked some teeth loose. As of 8pm, he's still parked in a hallway.

My sister was with him most of the day. She's an RN, even got one of her Doctors to check on him. So no heart attack, no stroke and no TIA. No idea of the cause yet.

He had a quadruple bypass last year. I'm pretty worried.

Oh man, that's awful. I sure hope it turns out ok and he enjoys many more years.

[Rock]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

My brother ended up in the hospital this morning. He felt off and left work early yesterday.

He woke up this morning bloody and didn't remember how it happened. He cut his chin and knocked some teeth loose. As of 8pm, he's still parked in a hallway.

My sister was with him most of the day. She's an RN, even got one of her Doctors to check on him. So no heart attack, no stroke and no TIA. No idea of the cause yet.

He had a quadruple bypass last year. I'm pretty worried.

I hope your brother is doing better today. Still no word on the cause?

[What Exit?]

No word on the cause yet. He only got a room around 7am this morning. Currently not answering his phone so I'll probably not know more until this afternoon.

[What Exit?]

My brother's EKG and cardiac enzymes are normal. His blood sugars are normal. CT of head was normal though may have a mild concussion. Sounds like they ruled out a lot but have no idea what happened.

[Wolf Larsen]

That sounds really scary, WE. A neighbor had a transient ischemia and we had to call an ambulance, but afterwards she was fine, but with no memory of what happened.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

My brother's EKG and cardiac enzymes are normal. His blood sugars are normal. CT of head was normal though may have a mild concussion. Sounds like they ruled out a lot but have no idea what happened.

damn, I'm glad he's OK for now but how awful not to know what the fuck just happened.



@picunurse both those states sound like "the south" to me!

[Solfy]

I'm glad they've ruled out all the really scary stuff, WE, but I know it's disconcerting to not have a concrete answer. I hope the big stuff continues to be not it.

Yesterday evening around sundown I heard my neighbor crying in her front yard. I went over to check on her to make sure she hadn't fallen again. She hadn't, so that was good. She was just sad and frustrated. She'd been out there pulling weeds and was hurting. I offered to help her finish up but she declined, saying she was just sad because everything hurts and there's so many weeds. She was out there all afternoon and barely made a dent in the front beds. The whole rest of the yard is a jungle; the grass in the back is waist high. I'm sorry she's struggling, but that yard is a lot for two able-bodied people let alone one limited person.

[Senpai]

Originally Posted by What Exit?

My brother's EKG and cardiac enzymes are normal. His blood sugars are normal. CT of head was normal though may have a mild concussion. Sounds like they ruled out a lot but have no idea what happened.

Jeez, WE, I hope he continues to be alright... Keep us updated.

Originally Posted by Solfy

Yesterday evening around sundown I heard my neighbor crying in her front yard. I went over to check on her to make sure she hadn't fallen again. She hadn't, so that was good. She was just sad and frustrated. She'd been out there pulling weeds and was hurting. I offered to help her finish up but she declined, saying she was just sad because everything hurts and there's so many weeds. She was out there all afternoon and barely made a dent in the front beds. The whole rest of the yard is a jungle; the grass in the back is waist high. I'm sorry she's struggling, but that yard is a lot for two able-bodied people let alone one limited person.

Gosh, that poor lady. Maybe sneak out there and help her out when she's away, or isn't aware? That's what I would do, after all.

[What Exit?]

My brother has one more MRI to go, this one for his back.

The plan is for him to be discharged today. Hopefully that happens.

My sister (the Nurse) is on the way to see him now.

[SmartAleq]

Best wishes for your bro, WhatJim, bodies can be really scary sometimes.

[Zeener Diode]

Here's hoping for the best for your bro, Jim.

[Helena]

I hope your sister can provide a little more insight, and that your brother is basically ok. How scary.

[picunurse]

I'm tired. Not just today. I am bone weary. I turn 77 in a couple weeks.

I spend a big part of each day helping hubby. He has a bad hip and chronic sinusitis, so he's whiny. I guess that's unfair. He hurts a lot. The pain management he's on works, but it doesn't take it all away.
He's gained weight, that makes it worse. He can't have surgery until he weighs less than 290. Right now he's at 330. He was 315 a short time ago.

Damn, I came to talk about my aches, pains and weariness. I guess they are so intertwined I can't describe mine without describing his.

I'll tell you about my day, today. I woke up at 6:30AM so I could get dressed for the groceries. I put out our morning pills and took mine.
8AM the groceries are on the way. 8:15 they arrive. By 8:45 they are put away. I found the Amazon package when I brought the groceries in.
Hubby lost his wallet last week. He got a new debit card and ordered a new DL. The Amazon package had his new wallet, so I loaded the small number of things into it.
9:00 I checked the bank balance, my email, started a new grocery list, since I forgot a few things.
At 10:30 I got his clothes ready for work, made coffee and toast for him, then woke him up. He got up, ate what I'd made, asked for a glass of milk and cookies. I stopped trying to control his eating a long time ago, so milk and cookies it is!
11:00 he has to get ready for work He can no longer put on socks or shoes, so I help. I also help with his underwear and work shorts, because bending hurts his hip.
11:20 he leaves for work. I tell him to "Drive Happy" and says he will.
12:00 I find myself something to eat then start on the week's meds.
I fill 4 of the pill-a-day thingys, 2 for each of us, one morning, one bedtime. I finished that at around 1:15.
Now, I'm here complaining. I still need to vacuum and finished the dishes, just in time to start thinking about what to make for dinner.
I'll get to watch a little TV for an hour.
Then it's time to put out night pills, lock the doors, feed the kitties, fill both C-Pap machines, remake the bed and refill my O2 bottle.
That's my Saturday.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are his days off. My routine stays the same, but he'll sleep until noon. He'll do a load of laundry and (hopefully) the kitty boxes. Then his day is done. Except, of course complaining about what a wreck the house is.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are long days. I get up at 4:45AM. He leaves for work at 6:00AM He comes home mid day for a couple hours for a nap, then he goes back until around 8:00PM. I need to have dinner ready when he gets home so we can eat and get to bed in time to get a decent night sleep.

I know I'm not doing everything I used to. I just can't. I have to stop between each chore and get a sip of oxygen. Changing sheets used to take 20 minutes, now it takes 3 hours. It makes me sad. I thought getting old was supposed to be easier.

[What Exit?]

My brother is home. He's in physical pain, especially his tongue and back.

He going to sleep early. I'll check in with him tomorrow early.

[Jaglavak]

Whatever it is, I'm glad he's on the mend.

[JackieLikesVariety]

hope to hear he continues to improve, What Jim.

[SmartAleq]

Tomorrow is trash day so the bins need filled and taken out to the curb. This is the first cycle since The Captain died and how derpy is it that I'm feeling gut punched by how light the used cat litter bucket is withhout his contributions? He was a big cat with diabetes so every day when I scooped the box I'd fill up one of those doggy poop bags and barely have enough left to tie a knot in it to hold the contents. With just tiny Terri around there's barely anything to scoop and the bags are about a quarter of what they used to be. The five gallon bucket isn't even half full, when normally I'd have to take the last three days worth of bags and toss them into the kitchen garbage bag when I took that out. And the lack of stinky poop and piss rocks is making me feel unbelievably sad. I miss my big bruiser cat so much.

[JackieLikesVariety]

[SmartAleq]

So, my dad is almost ninety and is in the hospital subsequent to a bad fall at home that caused a brain bleed and he also had sepsis going on from some kind of infection. He made it through that, survived being intubated and extubated and fought off pneumonia with a bunch of strong antibiotics. He was oriented and they were about to release him to hospital rehab when he took a turn and is now having hallucinations and freaking out when nobody is seeing what he sees. Things aren't looking good.

That, however, is not my rant. Old people die, it's what happens and the guy has been healthy as a horse all his life in spite of drinking a lot of wine every day for decades. No, what's pissing me off is my fucking youngest sister, the moron of the family. While dad wasn't doing so well she was conspicuously absent from the text group where my stepmom was giving updates. As soon as he started to turn around, she was absolutely and INSUFFERABLY yapping on about how GAWD IS SO GOOD and ALL PRAISE TO JEEEEEBUS along with a whole bunch of her fucking stupid numerology shit (I bet you didn't know that when your car stereo clock reads 11:11 it is an official SIGN FROM GOD now, didn't you?) and now that he's on a down swing she's gone back to radio silence. I'm begging my middle sister (the sensible one) to talk me out of texting her asking how wonderful she finds it now that GAWD PRAISE YAH!!! is giving her dad hallucinations and how praiseworthy that is. There's no point to it, she's way too stoopid to learn any better but dammit, I really want to just SLAP HER IN THE FACE about fifty times in a row so maybe, just once, she will SHUT THE FUCK UP.

[Solfy]

Originally Posted by Senpai

Gosh, that poor lady. Maybe sneak out there and help her out when she's away, or isn't aware? That's what I would do, after all.

Oh sweet merciful heavens, I couldn't do that to her. Yes, to her, not for her. Neighbor is not so much a gardener as a plant hoarder, and while she can't manage the yard, she also won't let anyone else (other neighbors, her kids, etc.) touch it for fear they may mistake a wanted plant for a weed. The inside of the house is no better. Neighbor across the street is a professional house cleaner and has offered I don't know how many times to help her at least clear wider paths through the detritus, but no dice. She sits surrounded by stuff as entropy has its way with her. Perversely it would cause her more distress to fight the mounting disorder.

Just after I posted the above post last week a guy and his son came and took out the buckeye tree in her front yard (with her supervision). It's letting a lot more light in, I'm sure the weeds will appreciate it. I can't help but think of how much more light I'd have in my yard without the junk maples on the shared property line. Supposedly the guy (or some other guy?) is coming back at some unspecified time to help clean up the rest of the yard, but I've been hearing that for two years.

[JackieLikesVariety]

what's pissing me off is my fucking youngest sister, the moron of the family. While dad wasn't doing so well she was conspicuously absent from the text group where my stepmom was giving updates. As soon as he started to turn around, she was absolutely and INSUFFERABLY yapping on about how GAWD IS SO GOOD and ALL PRAISE TO JEEEEEBUS along with a whole bunch of her fucking stupid numerology shit (I bet you didn't know that when your car stereo clock reads 11:11 it is an official SIGN FROM GOD now, didn't you?) and now that he's on a down swing she's gone back to radio silence.

at least you have a place to rant about her. I have one sibling who is about that useless but not jesus-y.

numerology is so dumb!

[What Exit?]

So my brother sounded better today but he is in pain and having troubles eating.

He should be at his doctors as we speak. At least he can drive locally.



He moves in less than a month. I'm going to go over and help him prepack and get stuff to Goodwill or the dumpster at some point. Though we both need to watch our backs.

I might hijack my son to help one of the times I go over. He can hang out and do the heavier lifting.

[What Exit?]

My brother is doing better, so this is good. I drove down to his place and delivered 10 cans of chicken soup. (His request).

I fixed his recliner so it has the back massage again and fixed another seat for him. Got him back and forth to the wash & fold place he uses.

[SmartAleq]

You're a good bro, WhatJim. Glad he's doing some better and hope the trend continues.

[Senpai]

Originally Posted by Solfy

Oh sweet merciful heavens, I couldn't do that to her. Yes, to her, not for her. Neighbor is not so much a gardener as a plant hoarder, and while she can't manage the yard, she also won't let anyone else (other neighbors, her kids, etc.) touch it for fear they may mistake a wanted plant for a weed. The inside of the house is no better. Neighbor across the street is a professional house cleaner and has offered I don't know how many times to help her at least clear wider paths through the detritus, but no dice. She sits surrounded by stuff as entropy has its way with her. Perversely it would cause her more distress to fight the mounting disorder.

Just after I posted the above post last week a guy and his son came and took out the buckeye tree in her front yard (with her supervision). It's letting a lot more light in, I'm sure the weeds will appreciate it. I can't help but think of how much more light I'd have in my yard without the junk maples on the shared property line. Supposedly the guy (or some other guy?) is coming back at some unspecified time to help clean up the rest of the yard, but I've been hearing that for two years.

Ahhh, that kind of person, I understand now. Poor thing. At least people are offering and doing what they can. I guess.. weeds or not, plants are nice? Unless they're the kind that give you the tremendous allergies.

Originally Posted by What Exit?

My brother is doing better, so this is good. I drove down to his place and delivered 10 cans of chicken soup. (His request).

I fixed his recliner so it has the back massage again and fixed another seat for him. Got him back and forth to the wash & fold place he uses.

Glad to hear your brother is on the mend!

[wring]

getting old sucks. this is truth.

my rant is something else, though. Last August my husband died. he had a tremendous presence and was very well liked by many people. We had an "event" (not a funeral, not a 'celebration of life', an EVENT), a bit over a month after his death. I had lots of help, one friend (Melissa) collected pictures from folks and produced photo boards, one (Bill) promised to record the event and put it together on youtube for those who could not attend (I have nieces that live in Europe, for example) and another promised to collect stories from folks and put it into a booklet to hand out at the event (Sue)
Melissa came through for the pics. Bill (who shortly afterward got an actual real full time job) has done a picture retrospective, still working on the video of the event.

so, at the event I learn from Sue that she hadn't been able to compile the thing, but it would be done in a couple weeks. I bit back my negative feelings but what could I do at that point? a couple weeks went by, I contacted her and she promised if for Christmas. that was for Christmas 2022. In January I tried contacting her again. she ghosted me for a month or two. she finally accepted a call and I learned that her health had taken a serious downward turn. I suggested that maybe I could help with the project. she said great. More time. in the interim, calls, texts, messages and nada. at one point she was going to come over on a weekend to work on it, that was about a month ago. and nada since then.

I've decided that I'm simply going to do it myself. I've contacted family and friends to have them resend stuff. I still have to contact her and tell her that I'm just going to do it myself. I want it done by Early July (important date for him). I dread the contact. I don't want to have to deal w/her feelings of guilt or whatever. I simply want the project done. now.

and in the meantime, of course I no longer have a word processing program on my computer (something about licensing or update of microsoft I don't know, don't care. I have another smaller netbook that still has word on it, so I'll use that instead, hope that works, otherwise, it'll be hours at the library for me)

[picunurse]

I broke a TOOTH! I don't have a dentist. I've been to 2 in the last 6 months. One said I was too medically fragile for him to deal with the other said they would work up a plan and get back to me. That was 5 months ago.

It doesn't hurt...yet.

[picunurse]

I am falling apart! First my tooth, then yesterday, I was making the bed and while tucking the sheet I heard a POP! in my shoulder with a blinding pain. I think I may have torn my rotator cuff.

I can't get a dr. appt. for a month.

[SmartAleq]

Oh jeez, that sucks! Can you hit an ER to make sure nothing's emergent on that? Shoulders are the worst, I had sequential frozen shoulders and that was about three years total of pain and lack of proper mobility and the left still isn't back to where it was before all this shit started. I hope yours does better!

My rant is that I ordered two patio loungers for the front porch and the box got here a couple days ago but I've been working so today I went to sweep off the porch and put them up and hey presto--they sent me four chairs instead! In the wrong color, even! Now I get to go round and round with Amazon over how to get this bigass box back to them and the right item sent. Grump. Really wanted to lounge on my porch, dammit!

[Wolf Larsen]

It's been really rainy here, it rained last night and then again this afternoon. And this means a bumper crop of mosquitos. I went outside to put something in the trash can and got attacked. And swatted a few and beat feet back inside.

My UV mosquito dryer is running 24/7 and I'll have to check it in a few weeks to see how full it is.

[SmartAleq]

Anybody nearby have chickens? Because I bet they'd go bonkers for some Skeeter Snax.

[picunurse]

Ack! Hubby is having surgery next week. They've made him wait a month without a word, now it rush rush. I'm trying to get his medical leave paperwork done but the doctor's office sends me to the business office and the business office sends me to the doc!
I'm not happy!

[Senpai]

picunurse, I hope everything gets done on time! I hate it when offices do that. Hoping for smooth sailing from here!

Oof, the packing rush has hit me hard. I woke up this morning feeling like I'd just got mugged. Five times in a row. Everything hurts, everything is dusty, and it's making my sinus issues go nuts and give me headaches. Knock on wood, no jinxing, I hope I don't get hit with a cluster headache migraine during this. Those leave me debilitated.

[thylacine]

Good luck with all of it picunurse and Senpai. I would not like to be in either situation.

I am not enjoying my Sunday, the washing machine tap decided to spring a leak and flood the laundry. I own all the tools and washers and everything but realised I had no memory of how to do it (fuck epilepsy). A friend came to the rescue, I was glad he came because it turned out harder than he expected to get the damned thing apart then it turned out to be a bigger problem than just the washer but we have the water back on and can wait for cheaper hours for a plumber, we just can’t use the washing machine. Tomorrow is unlikely though, partner has scary eye surgeon appointment, she fears further surgery or to be told it can’t be improved. I have a doc appointment in the morning and shrink in the afternoon, neither involve leaving home but Telehealth and tradespeople aren’t a good match. It is unfortunate our appointments clash but she misremembered her date and I need some test results and prescriptions.

I just wish it wasn’t the only damned tap in the house not over a drain, I have been checking quite obsessively though I am sure it won’t leak if left turned off. We have some other plumbing jobs I’ve been putting off (due to SIL death etc) so I expect it to be a pricey week. Emotionally too, I have trouble with tradies, not sure if it is just the talking down and the powerlessness of it being a subject I have zero knowledge of so it is easy to rip me off or more just the stranger in the house thing.

[picunurse]

I got all his paperwork together. Today is a bad pain day. He's talking about suicide. I've had 3 of the most loved people in my life commit suicide and he knows that. My heart is breaking.
I know he has nearly unbearable pain. I don't know what else I can do. he rages when it gets this bad. I'm staying away from him until he can calm down a bit.

[Pencil]

I'm in the ER.
Brought the computer, because there's always a lot of waiting - take this test, wait for result, try that (Xray or not?) So my laptop went along since I know that things take time.

Anyway. Abdominal pain. And after checking with my contact nurse over at surgery, she thought I should go to the ER, just to be on the safe side.

Brief back story: I was treated, and sliced, for colorectal cancer four years ago. I have been declared fit and healthy, but with the caveat that if anything is out of the ordinary, I should contact the hospital. Better safe than sorry. I'm not really worried.

But I swear that time is influenced with some relativistic field in all ERs, slowing down clocks. I've been here for a little more than three hours, but it feels like five. In spite of of having the computer.

[Senpai]

Originally Posted by picunurse

I got all his paperwork together. Today is a bad pain day. He's talking about suicide. I've had 3 of the most loved people in my life commit suicide and he knows that. My heart is breaking.
I know he has nearly unbearable pain. I don't know what else I can do. he rages when it gets this bad. I'm staying away from him until he can calm down a bit.

I'm glad you did that, picunurse. You're doing all you can, and I'm sure he's grateful. I'm far from defending his actions, especially considering him knowing your own sensitivity, but pain is a maddening thing that can lead you down very dark holes*. If the raging is a pattern, then you absolutely did the right thing by stepping away. Sometimes, having someone else around to watch you suffer only makes it worse, by no fault of their own. You're doing great.

*Source: My own experiences with suicidal thoughts and attempts.

Originally Posted by Pencil

I'm in the ER.
Brought the computer, because there's always a lot of waiting - take this test, wait for result, try that (Xray or not?) So my laptop went along since I know that things take time.

Anyway. Abdominal pain. And after checking with my contact nurse over at surgery, she thought I should go to the ER, just to be on the safe side.

Brief back story: I was treated, and sliced, for colorectal cancer four years ago. I have been declared fit and healthy, but with the caveat that if anything is out of the ordinary, I should contact the hospital. Better safe than sorry. I'm not really worried.

But I swear that time is influenced with some relativistic field in all ERs, slowing down clocks. I've been here for a little more than three hours, but it feels like five. In spite of of having the computer.

Augh, that sucks, Pencil! Been there. I'm glad you're in good enough shape to be on the computer, instead of just writhing in your seat for what seems like an eternity. Hoping everything shows up well!

[Rebo]

I just have a mini-rant. Lately, every time I run the washing machine it gets off balance! I'll rearrange the clothes, it happens again, I rearrange again, ad nauseum. Mostly it's towels.

But it used to almost never get off balance! Could it be broken? Mr Rebo says maybe a spring broke? I can run it empty and it's fine. I put just two big towels in and separate them evenly, it's fine. Regular load? Chunka-chunka-chunka. It's annoying as hell, and takes forever to do the laundry.

[JackieLikesVariety]

Originally Posted by Pencil

I'm in the ER.
Brought the computer, because there's always a lot of waiting - take this test, wait for result, try that (Xray or not?) So my laptop went along since I know that things take time.

Anyway. Abdominal pain. And after checking with my contact nurse over at surgery, she thought I should go to the ER, just to be on the safe side.

I hope to hear good news soon.

[What Exit?]

This is minor, I twisted something in my back putting the shelves into the new cabinets.

I think it was the last one that did it.