It is Fixable! 11-30-2012 (Cottonwood RV Pk, Columbia, MO)

Just a short report on my thyroid.  Aren't you excited!!

The condition is "not unusual and fixable"!.  There is at least one nodule causing the thyroid to overwork.  The fix....drink a cocktail of radioactive iodine which causes the nodule to die!  Then regular lab work to check on the condition of the thyroid. 

The cocktail will be dispensed at the Univ of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO, Tuesday morning.  That will be it until March.

We drove to Columbia this afternoon, parked at Cottonwood RV Park.  We could have stayed close to my mother's but there is absolutely no cell phone service there.   I have already had two phone calls from the Hospital....a good decision to have phone service!  Hospitals/clinic always have questions about insurance!

It has been many years since we have spent any time in/around Columbia.  It is a Big City.  We might even get the bikes out tomorrow and go to the Katy Trail for a ride. 

We checked into attending the basketball game at Univ of Missouri tomorrow afternoon.  The only tickets available are in the "upper level" and are not cheap.  We decided that we could see the game better on TV. 

We Made It to the Lake! 11-29-2012

We are parked on the parking lot of the Lake Regional Hospital. 

The offices for the specialist is in the hosptial complex.  Appointment is ten in the morning!

I apologize for being consumed with all things thyroid the past week!  After tomorrow I assume it will be better.  At least I will know something.

It is hard to realize that tomorrow is the LAST day of November.  The days are flying by!

The Waiting Game is Over 11-28-2012

I spent several minutes through the night debating the medical profession, paperwork,thyroids, specialists....you get the picture.

I called my neice Abbie to say "just forget trying to get all the paperwork that is needed" only to hear her reply that she had an appointment for me Friday morning. 

After talking once more to the family doctor's office, requesting that lab and scan results be sent to the specialist, it was finally faxed.

I cancelled the Dec 27 appointment here in Cape Girardeau.

We are travelling tomorrow to Osage Beach MO to see the endocronologist Friday morning.  We are not going to park the motorhome at my mother's.  We need to have cell service for this visit!

I am anxious to consult with the specialist.  I have heard from several friends that they, too, have differing thyroid conditions--hyper, hypo, surgery, pills, etc.  I am not worried that it is life-threatening, just want a diagnosis. 

Enough about all that!

Low this morning was 20 degrees!   Br-r-r!

The Waiting Game 11-27-2012

The Waiting Game...I am not a good player!

I am speaking of waiting for a doctor's appointment.  The specialist that the family doctor recommended has an appointment for January 28.  No, that is not good.

Sarah, our daughter in law, used her powers, and got it moved to December 27.  That is still a long time.

Plan C...our neice in central Missouri, works with a thyroid specialist.  Abbie is trying to get proper paperwork sent her way and an appointment much sooner. 

I did learn today that the scan/lab work is "non-emergency" "typical".  If that is the case, then I may wait until early next spring, and get the heck out of Dodge...and get on the road to south Texas.

Hear my frustrations!

Monday, Nov 26, 2012

We are back in Cape Girardeau, MO, awaiting a date with a medical specialist!

Last week I learned that the scan on my thyrod indicated a nodule on the thyroid and the thyroid is "overactive".

My primary doctor is in the process of getting an appointment for me with a specialist located in Cape Girardeau. 

Hopefully the appointment process won't take a long time! 

Thanksgiving 11-22-2012 and 11-24-2012

Forty-Three assorted members of the Hickey clan gathered at the home of Mildred (Glen's sister) and Doug in Carl Junction MO on Thanksgiving Day. 

There were 15 children there under the age of seven!  The day's weather was beautiful and allowed the kids to play outdoors in the afternoon.  Some of us sat on the patio during the meal.

It was a great Day.

Saturday twenty-nine members of my family gathered for a holiday meal. 

 This is my mom with some of her great grandchildren!

This is my mom with her four children ! 

Our two youngest grandchildren spent Saturday night with us in the motorhome.  Uncle Mark (my brother) took Ashlynn and Zade with him while he bottle-fed "Barney" and "Fred", two calves whose mothers didn't provide enough milk for them.

Darin and Sarah spent their "alone" time Christmas shopping at the Outlet mall at the Lake of the Ozarks!

Catching Up ...Summarizing..Pictures...PART ONE--11-20-12

Where do I start?

Tuesday, Nov 20
Gary, Evelyn, Mike, Tammy, Glen and I went to "the city"...Kansas City, MO and KS.
We started the day at the Truman Presidential Library, Independence MO.  We all enjoyed having our memories jogged as to what happened in history in the late 1940's. 

Truman became president when FDR died, and served a total of 7 years.

If only politicians learned from history!  What was happening in 1948 is still relevant in 2012..."entitled to education, good medical care, and a decent place to live."

This was the third presidential library for us to visit this year! Just ten more to go.

On to "Steamboat Arabia" museum in downtown KC.

 September 6, 1856 The steamboat Arabia left St. Louis, headed to Council Bluff Iowa, struck a snag after leaving KC MO and sunk.  "She", Arabia, carried over 200 tons of fine dishware, jewelry, guns, gold and other precious items. 

Arabia stayed buried until 1988 when a group of men decided to see if she could be located.  The river's course moved over the many years.  The steamboat was found some 45 feet underground beneath a Kansas farm field. 

What was found was a time capsule of preserved 1856 frontier supplies.  The museum is filled with rooms of dishes, buttons, leather goods, kitchen ware, etc etc,..items that frontier towns needed.

This is a remarkable mueum, all items well displayed, and all boggles the mind that the mud preserved the items so perfectly. 

We highly recommend this museum if you are in the area.

The day ended with us attending a dinner theater.  The production was "The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays".  Marion Ross, mother of Richie Cunningham on "Happy Days" was the star of the "whodunit".  The play was filled with humor and excellent acting. 

The dinner buffet was delicious and served before the start of the play.  Dessert was served during the intermission. 

It was a great day!

Full Circle Nov 25 2012

Full Circle.

After the last post on Nov 20, WIFI/internet went away and did not return while we were at Gary and Evelyn's.  From there we went to my mother's where there is no WIFI/internet.

We are now back in Cape Girardeau, Mo, with full hook ups and WIFI. 

The past few days have been busy.  Details tomorrow when I am not so tired. 

I will also explain why we are back in Cape Girardeau.

I trust you have had a wonderful holiday week-end.  Our days have been filled with family.  What more could one want...except for those missing family members to have been around.

Have a great week.

Here's a Hint...The Mighty Mo, President, "Happy Days!" 11-20-2012

Bet you will never figure out what we did today.  However, it is eleven o'clock, and I am TIRED.  It has been a great day. 

I promise the first thing in the morning I will explain all the hints, and post pictures.

Runnin' Around! 11-19-2012

Gary and Evelyn on a previous visit here introduced us to the best brats ever.  They are made locally at "McBee's General Store, Amsterdam, MO.

Today we made a trip to McBee's General Store about 20 miles west of  Hwy 71.  The website is www.realbratwurst.com  for you check out the 30 flavors they offer.  It is all made in store.

We are stocked for the winter with these flavors, Apple, Pineapple (the best seller), the Philly Teaser, and Mushroom Swiss. 

We ended the drive around the area at Schell-Osage State Wildlife Refuge, south of here.  The water levels are low, but there were still several thousand snow geese, many mallards, cormorants, gulls, great blue heron, three immature bald eagles in the area. 

We ended the evening by watching "Pistol Pete" a movie about Pete Marovitch, a legendary college and professional basketball player.  It was made in 1991, directed by Darrel Campbell, the brother of Glen and Evelyn's brother-in-law, Doug Campbell.  It is still a great movie.

There is a big day planned for Tuesday.  It will be late when we return from "the city"..KC, so expect a full report on Wednesday.

A great Nap! 11-18-2012

What a great nap this afternoon.  I definitely feel better after that  rest.  Still coughing, but congestion is better.

Glen and I finally made a trip to stock the cupboard with the ingredients for goodies for Thanksgiving.  The days are sliding by so quickly.

We--Glen, Mike, Gary, Evelyn, Tammi, and I---had a great game of Mexican Train, a dominoes game.  It was then time for The Amazing Race! 

Countdown to Thanksgiving....3 days...depending on how you count!

We Arrived!

We left Poplar Bluff early Saturday morning, arriving without incident south of KC MO, home of Glen's sister Evelyn/husband Gary.

Evelyn's son, Mike and wife Tammy, Pittsburgh PA, are also here. 

Last night the Bates County Cattlemen's Association hosted their annual meeting at the Optimist Building.  The dinner hour was open to the public, and consisted of the best Prime Rib, baked potatoes, green beans, slaw, and choice of home-made desserts.  What a wonderfully delicious meal. 

Gary is always part of the cooking committee.  The prime rib served beats any restaurant.  Great job, Gary.

The business meeting concluded with a "cow calling" contest.  There were 6-8 contestants, both men and women.  Obviously there are several methods of calling cattle!  It was very entertaining!

The six of us attended worship service at the home of Gary/Ev's church.  Evelyn also sings in the choir.

Lunch was fried chicken, mashed potatoes/gravy, green beans, and grilled bread, served at the Inn on the Square in Butler, MO.  This would qualify as one of Glen's favorite meals...fried chicken.  It was very good chicken.

We are all snuggled in for the afternoon of naps and NFL football. 

Have a great week.

Have I Mentioned.......

.....Have I mentioned that we have had to scrape frost off the truck windshield the past two mornings???  That is way too cold for these travelers!

One more day/night in Poplar Bluff!

I went to the imaging department early this morning for one more scan...this one took two minutes.  A call from the doctor's office thirty minutes later indicated we should stay in town, until the doctor saw the results of the scan.

By check out time here at the rv park, we still hadn't heard from the doctor.  We paid for one more night.  We finally heard from the doctor's office, and received the news that my thyroid is "normal".  That is the good news we were waiting for!  But, one more trip to the lab for more blood work.

However, we can leave PB.  The doctor will call next week with the results of the last lab work. 

Rather than sit in the motor home all afternoon, and even though, we are both still coughing, we drove east to Otter Slough State Wildlife Refuge.  I thought there would be some waterfowl in the flooded areas. 

There were several thousand waterfowls, but most of the roads were closed because of the hunting seasons.  Bummer.  The most unexpected water fowl seen were four swans--trumpeter, I think.  They were at the other end of the pond from us. 

We saw...mallards, coots, pied-billed grebe, n. shovelers, pintail, widgeons, great blue herons, red-tailed hawks, kestrel, shrike, snow geese, snow geese-blue phase,---and the swans. 

It was a good afternoon. 

We ARE going to leave in the morning, heading to Evelyn and Gary's home. 

Call, leave a message, text, or send email the next week if you need to be in touch with us.

Glow in the Dark

I asked Glen earlier if I was glowing in the dark!  Early this morning I swallowed a radioactive pill.

I had been told that the tech might be in leaded apron with leaded gloves but not this time.  The pill did come in a beaker that neither the tech nor I touched. 

Mid-day I went back to the imaging department for a 30-minute scan on the thyroid.  And...will go back early in the morning for a 2-minute scan. 

Then, wait for the doctor to call with the results.  This may take a while with the holiday week coming up. 

The rest of the day has been spent (still) resting from the crud we have had and getting up before sunrise.  BTW, the sunrise was beautiful this morning.

We will be on the road shortly after the trip to the imaging department.  We are going to Evelyn (Glen's sister) and Gary's home, south of KCMO.  We will be there for a week.

We are looking forward to the special events scheduled in the next week, as well as visiting with Gary/Evelyn and son Mike and wife Tammy. 

If you call, and there is no answer, leave a voice mail.  Cell service is sketchy...depends on where we are parked in their driveway.  We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Counting down the time to Thanksgiving...just one more week! 

Mid-Week Report

Dental work...done!  A temporary cap was attached to the tooth.  Appointment for new cap next spring.

Alarm set...done!  Six a.m. !! Be at the lab at 6:45. (Thursday) 

We took a short drive this afternoon to see the first house we lived in for 26 years, eight miles out of PB.  Yikes, those eight miles are narrow and curvy.  The house is tiny (much smaller than when we lived in it..smile)and now needs work.  We appreicated living in the country back then, raising the kids with a back yard full of trees. 

One of our friends always said she "had to take a car sick pill and pack a suitcase" to come visit us then. 

Take care.

Change in Plans

We make plans, and plans change.

There were back-to-back dental appointments this morning for each of us.  Glen has one old filling that needs to be replaced.  While standing at the office desk discussing when this could be done, someone called and cancelled a nine-o'clock appointment in the morning.  Wow!  Glen now has that appointment.

This afternoon we each saw our family doctor.  I learned that lab results showed my thryoid levels are not in the normal range.  Follow up will be start Thursday and finish Friday morning.  It is nothing to be concerned about--promise!---, just taken care of. 

My doctor also wrote a prescription for antibiotics for my sinsus infection.  Hurray.  It is time to get this whipped and out of my system.

This change in plans gives us time to see a couple more friends here in Poplar Bluff.  We haven't inflicted ourselves on anyone to prevent sharing germs the past few days. 

Take care.  Getting ready for Thanksgiving?

I know.... it has been it has been a couple of days since I have written....that's because there has been nothing to write.

We..both Glen and I...gave in to the battle of sinsuitis!  We did meet friends for wonderful catfish Saturday night but even declined to go to their home afterwards.

I was in 'jammies and in bed by 7 p.m. 

Sunday we did not get out of the motorhome.  The wind blew, the blue skies departed, the temperatures fell, the rains arrived.

Yesterday's high was 71 degrees.  This morning is is 32 degrees.  There was 1.84 inches of rain.  The wind is gone and the sun is shining brightly. 

Hopefully we will begin to feel better. 

Hope you have had a great week end.

Nice Slow Day

I have appreciated having no schedule today.  As normal for me, when in southeast Missouri in late fall, the weather changes do me in!  I took advantage by doing lots of resting.

Five years ago it took several rounds of antibiotics to finally defeat the sinsus infection that took over my life, complete with coughing, coughing,  and coughing, and a completely stuffed head.   Forget all that, you don't need the details! :}

I am fighting--hard--to not get in the same condition.  I believe I am better than yesterday.  The coughing has abated, but still somewhat stuffy. 

But wait, 72 degrees today and 39 for a high on Sunday!  Oh yes...November weather in Missouri--or "Misery" as a friend says.

Glen visited with the staff at the office at the cooperative office this morning.  He enjoys catching up with all of the projects; and best of all, visiting with the friends he worked with for 37 years. 

Are you looking forward to the three day week end?  It isn't such a big deal for us retirees as it used to be.

Of course, the reason for the holiday....Veteran's Day...is the same, whether working or retired.  Tell the Veteran or Active Military Person who is in your family, or is your neighbor, or is sporting a Honor Tour WWII cap, or sits next to you at the restaurant, or wherever, "THANKS" for the time they have given to our country.  The time given, the sacrifices made by each of them made/makes it possible for us to live in the greatest country.

Back where It Started (Camelot RV Park, Poplar Bluff, MO)

We are in Poplar Bluff, MO, where we lived and worked for 37 years! 

....where retirement began;
....where full-timing in a motorhome began!

We are here for a few days to see friends and, next Tuesday see our dentist and doctor. 

Today began with a doctor's appointment (for me) in Cape Girardeau, lunch, a stop at Kohl's Department store, and driving to Poplar Bluff, MO, a trip of 90 minutes. 

I was searching my purse this morning for insurance cards and found a $30 gift card from Kohl's that expired this coming Monday.  That was too much money to ignore so off to Kohl's to find something that wouldn't take up too much space in the MH (smile). 

We went to a local restaurant tonight for dinner, and who should be there? The former Manager of Finance and now General Manager of M & A Electric Cooperative, from where Glen retired. 

Daryl and Mary J Sorrell were just finishing their meal as we arrived.  We briefly caught up on a few things.  Glen will go by the office tomorrow to finish with "catching up." 

There has been a great deal of change in Poplar Bluff since we left nearly 5 years ago.  A new hospital has been built, a new clinic/doctor offices, new streets built, new restaurants. 

A "Me" Day!

This day has been all about me.  I say it without shame.  It has been wonderful!

First..a massage.  Oh my goodness, the masseuse had magic fingers.

Second..a haircut.  Glen can quit saying "you need a haircut!"

Third..a facial.  More magic fingers. 

Glen even went grocery shopping, came home and put them away while I was gone.  He is a super husband.

Tonight will be the last evening in Cape Girardeau for this fall season. 
We will be saying goodbye to Ashlynn and Zade, Sarah and Darin tonight.  We will see them over the Thanksgiving holiday, but not here. 
 
Saying "good-bye" is the difficult part of "full-timing".  Ashlynn and Zade are old enough now to realize that we will be gone for "a long time"!  They will change and grow up over the winter. 

But...it is time to find the warmer temperatures!

'Tis the Season!

I know...Halloween is just over, and it is three weeks until Thanksgiving, but Glen wrapped Christmas gifts today.  Glen is the expert gift wrapper; he is precise with the corners, no wrinkles or torn paper.

We will leave the gifts with our son/wife to put under the Christmas tree for the two grandchildren. 

I spent the afternoon napping, catching up from the busy days of last week.  I do feel rested. 

I do hope you exercised your right to vote today!  We voted by "absentee ballot" a few weeks ago! 

Long Day--8 and 1/2 hours on the road!

There's not  much to be written when it has been on the road from Greenwood Arkansas back to Cape Girardeau, MO.

And....we were accompanied by Ashlynn and Zade!  Darin and Sarah were in their vehicle, usually several minutes ahead of us!

We met Trisha, Brady, Tanner and Landon, and Darin, Sarah, Ashlynn and Zade at the IHOP in Ft. Smith for breakfast. 

It has been many years since we have eaten at an IHOP.  It was very good food.

We were on the road at 10"05, and arrived in Cape Girardeau at 6:30. 

I entertained Ashlynn and Zade.  They both love pencils and papers, so we drew pictures, colored with markers, and made lists, counting the "rv's, yellow cars, and jeeps", all things they could identify easily.  They had Barbie dolls, and hot wheel cars. 

We plan on sleeping in!  Late! which with the time change means 7:30!  Glen has an eye doctor appointment early afternoon.  Other than that no plans for Monday.

May I Present Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Burklow

We have been very busy planning a wedding.  Now you know why there hasn't been any blog posts.

The ceremony was at Michael's Mansion, a bed and breakfast in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.

 

Mr and Mrs. Jeffrey Burklow.

 



 

 

 



Actually Trisha and Jeff did all of the planning.  Glen and I were the support team! 

The ceremony was a small, intimate family celebration.

Tanner, Trisha, Brady

 

Brandon and Jeff

 

The new family! Landon, Jeff, Tanner, Trisha, Brady

 

Brady, Jeff, Tanner, Trisha, Gayla, Glen

Sarah, Darin, Zade, Ashlynn

I obviously clicked twice on this picture, but can't figure out how to delete one.  Sorry.

 

 

All of the family enjoyed a wonderful lunch at "Rolando's", a wonderful restaurant in downtown Ft. Smith.

 

Trisha and Jeff then invited all of us to their home for visiting. 

 

It was a great day! 

 

We are leaving this area in the morning, heading back to Cape Girardeau, MO for a few days with Darin and Sarah, Ashlynn and Zade, and doctor's appointments.

 

It has been a great two weeks here.