Hanging in there!

We're spending a few days at the lake. We've been productive! The pontoon is out of the lake and on its trailer. Gilead is a spring fed lake, and it is at a low level along the shoreline, so I was worried about the pontoon being stuck in the muck! The water is 50 feet deep after the drop off. So glad that we bought the pontoon in March and had some nice outings on it before Ron's last bout of pneumonia. No regrets.
We are going to Ron's 50th high school graduation reunion this weekend. He was 17 when he graduated; I was there! Literally a lifetime ago.
Ron is struggling with accepting needing oxygen 24-7. Of all the things he has been through, this has definitely bothered him the most. It also made him sad to see the pontoon taken out, and the big oak tree that had the grandkids'swing --in front of the cottage was cut down by the new owners. On an up note, our deck was restained this week, and it looks great. There is a boardwalk across the front and sides of our house, and that is going to be my fall project. It needs some repairs and staining.
Enjoy the remainder of your summer activities!

Night Owl

Weird time to blog but I am wide awake! Up early this morning (July 20) because it was an Ann Arbor day, and I had bandages to change and central line care to do before leaving for bloodwork and a visit with a cardiologist for Ron. The day went very smoothly, and Ron has been taken off his heart medication. Often when we see a new doc, there are a lot of blanks to fill in by answering loads of questions, but she had previewed everything and was ready to get right to the cardiac issues. She didn't call his heart issue a heart attack...a cardiac event caused by pneumonia in both lungs and shortness of breath. His pulse was 52 And blood pressure lower than his normal when we checked in, so I am anxious to see how things moderate witout a med that slows everything down. It would be wonderful if he requires less supplemental oxygen. He has been lethargic while on this medication.
He has had two injuries due to the oxygen equipment, so we are visiting the wound clinic again. I hope I don't get investigated! I thought it was ridiculous how much wound dressing supplies were sent to us for previous wound care, but now I get it. Anyone who has been on prednisone for long term knows how fragile it makes your skin. Ron has rather extensive skin tears on one arm from a fall due to oxygen tubing, and then a few days later I tipped an oxygen tank over, and it hit his leg.
Tonight we had a homeowners association meeting for our villas, so I wanted to attend that...then crashed on the couch afterwards, so that is why I am wide awake now. Wound clinic appointment in about 6 hours, so I need to get back to sleep!

Packing Again

Getting ready today to make the trip back to BG. There is always quite a bit to do, so I don't hate myself for a mess when we return! We have had a very busy time here at Gilead Lake. It was a 4th of July that I will always remember! I will add a couple pictures. Family time is special, and so this holiday was beyond special with all four of the kids and families home. My sister and brother in law hosted a get together on July 2nd, so all of the Troxell cousins from my side of the family were together for a beautiful lake day. Ron handled all of this "commotion" very well. He just sleeps when he needs to and retreats if too much is going on for him. His oxygen requirement is unchanged.
It was fun seeing tents in the yard and the grandkids swimming in the deep water. Our own fireworks, compliments of Andrew, were amazing. He had waited 3 years to provide a show for us. He was the family hero to Matt's kids as they assisted him with lighting everything. I will admit that I was tired when everyone left and needed more than a couple naps to recover!
Good times.