My Week

I'm not doing my usual Weekly W's as this was a very stressful week so I really didn't think about what I ate or read or another recipe.

TBG had an appointment with an NP on Monday since his PCP was out of the office for the week.  He's still pretty short of breath and fatigued.  They did another round of x-rays and blood work.  Thursday after calling them twice, a nurse finally called back with the results.  She told us he had an enlarged heart and heart failure.  Yep, a phone call from a nurse who couldn't have answered any questions we would have had if we weren't in shock.  The only plan was to start diuretics and get an ECHO on December 12th.

This did not set well with me.  Things just weren't adding up and if indeed he was in heart failure, I wanted tests much sooner.  So Friday I spoke with one of the doctors that I work with whose husband is a cardiologist.  Long story short, TBG was in an ECHO by 7:30 am and at 1 pm had an EKG and a consultation with the cardiologist. A couple of medications were added that he'll likely be on for the rest of his life and his blood pressure medication was stopped.  Today he is being fitted for a Life Vest so they can monitor what is going on with his heart and he is scheduled for a stress test November 28th. 

We have no idea what caused this but it most likely was a viral infection.  

I am so thankful for the people in my life that made it possible for us to get answers and a plan in place sooner rather than later.  It's sad that things are the way they are and we really do have to advocate for ourselves and others.

We're looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving this week.  We are hoping for a restful, food filled, laughter filled holiday.

I hope everyone is well and has a wonderful week.

My Weekly W's

What's top of my mind:  The big guy has been feeling a bit better this week.  He took two doses of the Paxlovid but it made the shortness of breath worse, so he stopped taking it.  I don't blame him because the list of side effects was pretty long and scary.  He has an appointment with his PCP tomorrow and is going to ask for an ECHO and an appointment with a cardiologist.  I know his diagnosis was Covid but we'll just both feel better knowing his heart is doing well.  

Where I've been:  Other than work, I didn't go anywhere this week. Our monthly friends dinner is cancelled because one of them has a bad case of Covid.  Our community is filled with viruses right now and I don't want to go out unless I have to.  I was that way pre Covid as well.  lol  We did finally get the tulip tree pruned yesterday.  It had turned in to more of a bush than tree.  When we bought this house 13 years ago it was about 4-5 feet tall.  Now it has to be 16 to 20 feet or more.  Other than putting away two chairs, the backyard is ready for winter.

Where I'm going:  Work all week and I will need to venture out Saturday for a few items for Thanksgiving week but other than that, I don't have any plans.  

What I'm watching:  I caught up on Southern Charm and I watched Home for the Holidays again while cleaning the kitchen yesterday.  Other than that, I've been spending a few minutes each day watching the birds and the squirrels hiding everything they can for the winter.  

What I'm reading:  I've started reading The World Central Kitchen book.  I have a number of cookbooks I want to go through before I do any other reading.  My goal was to read 24 books this year and I've read 25 not including various cookbooks so I'm happy I accomplished that.  

What I'm eating:

BIG salad X2

Beef tacos 

Butter chicken, rice and Naan

Beef empanadas (it's been so long since I made these)

Lamb burger and side salad

I have no idea what I'm cooking tonight, but we will eat.

What's making me smile:  Again this goes to Binx. 

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!!  Stay safe and healthy this week.

Things That Make Me Smile

Snail mail!  My blogger buddy Ann at Ann's Snap Edit Scrap (annssnapeditscrap.blogspot.com) has been surprising me with gorgeous cards that she makes. The time she puts into each card and her attention to detail is professional and the cards are so pretty.  It's amazing how creative she is.  It really makes me smile when I open the mailbox and find a card from her. Thank you again Ann!!  You've opened my eyes again to the joy of receiving a card in the mail knowing someone thought of you.  I plan on brightening a few more peoples' days from now on myself even though they won't be as awesome as the ones you send. 

My Week and a Gingersnap Recipe

What's top of my mind:  The big guy.  The last few weeks, off and on, he's been a little short of breath and just didn't feel right.  He recently had his yearly blood work and physical and all was perfect. Saturday, he complained he had an upset stomach.  Nothing serious but felt nauseous.  Well, Sunday morning he woke up and was having a hard time breathing so we made a trip to the ER.  They immediately took him back and started on a series of tests.  His chest x-ray was good, heart good, blood work good but positive for Covid. He was given Paxlovid and an inhaler and has been home since.  Thankfully each day he seems to be a bit better.  If it was a true positive the only symptoms, he experienced were shortness of breath, slight fatigue and upset stomach.  I have had no symptoms but stayed home yesterday and today just to be safe and to reset my nerves after a scary Sunday. 

What I'm watching:  I haven't gotten into Christmas movies just yet but did watch Home for the Holidays which is always a fun movie.  We also caught up on the new season of Great British Bake Off. 

What I'm reading:  I finished A Cup of Silver Linings and The Secret Recipe of Ella Dove.  The Book Charmer is the first book of the series.  I have loved all three!!  It's a bit of a mix between Gilmore Girls and Practical Magic.  Yesterday I started reading Livingood Daily.  I'm about a third of the way through.  I am already familiar with a number of things he's written but a reminder is always good and I am a bit shocked by the statistics. 

What's new:  One of the doc's I work with goes to Poland every few months and usually brings me back really fun stuff.  She knocked it out of the park on this last trip.  I feel spoiled.  First is a soft, gorgeous black cat scarf.  It's a bit darker than it appears in this photo.

She also included a few kitchen towels.  These are large and I have to say that all of the fabrics that I've received from Poland are excellent quality.

And last but not least, is a beautifully painted wooden box and a small cross.  I didn't get a photo of them but trust me they are so pretty.  

What I'm eating:

BIG salad and a cheese roll up

Italian Chicken sausage, basil, cherry tomato pasta and garlic bread

Beef chili with jalapeno poppers

Chicken, mashed potatoes and salad

Lamb burger with zucchini fries.  The farmers market closed on Friday so this was the last zucchini.

Last week I also made a batch of Gingersnap Cookies which are a favorite here.

3/4 cup of butter, room temperature

1 cup of sugar

1 egg, room temperature

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup molasses

1/2 teaspoon cloves

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 cups of flour

2 teaspoons of baking soda

Cream the butter and sugar.

Add egg, salt and molasses and combine.

Slowly mix in cloves, ginger, cinnamon, flour and baking soda.

Shape into walnut sized balls and roll each in granulated sugar.

Place on baking sheet, greased or parchment paper and bake at 375F for 7-8 minutes.  

Let cool on the cookie sheet for a minute or two before cooling on rack. 

Such a good Fall cookie with tea or hot cocoa. 

What is making me smile:  Day to day life may not look like we have a large/strong support system but when something happens, we have a lot of people that are willing to help and be there.  That makes me smile!!

Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe!