"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood... And sorry I could not travel both. I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference." --Robert Frost

Monday, November 1, 2021

November Began in the Emergency Room

Placerville, California
Ponderosa RV Resort


Thought I'd start out with a couple of cute photos of our Meatball out on a hike with his parents in the Redwoods.

Our November started off with a trip to the Emergency Room.
At least Steve had a nice view from his room in the ICU.

Steve hadn't been feeling too well by late Friday (of course it's always a Friday, right?) He rested over the weekend but still wasn't feeling any better.  By time we moved to Coloma, next to my brother and our friends John & Tina, he was feeling very weak and actually passed out.  I took him straight to the Emergency Room in Placerville with a GI bleed.  After many tests he spent the week in the ICU with even more tests.  Poor guy also had 9 blood transfusions.  Yep, NINE.  It was pretty scary for a while.  Of course there was too much bleeding at first to find where the bleed was occurring so he was later transferred to a bigger hospital down in Sacramento with a better GI Dept.  Unfortunately, due to Covid cases, staff and bed shortages he couldn't get transferred right away.  By time he was transferred and tested more, there wasn't enough bleeding so he was sent home after a couple days once he was stable.  Turns out this can happen again or maybe never.  
  
Hurley was in very good hands.
 
Between my brother & sister-in-law and John & Tina they set up the trailer for us and took care of Hurley the next week and made me a couple delicious meals.  I only came back to sleep.
Poor guy couldn't eat or drink the first 5 days.  He was so happy to finally get some Jello!  He's doing much better but since he left the hospital with only 1/2 his blood, we had to wean him back on food slowly and his exercise is a little at a time until his blood levels come back up. 

We relaxed much of the second week and did small walks along the river at camp.
A small road trip brought us through town and to one of our wineries for a pick up of some more Port.


We discovered one of those Tiny Outdoor Libraries on the backroads by a goat pen.

There's a small 1 mile loop hike down the road where we could get Steve hiking a bit.  It's flat.
This funky rock reminds me of the Lips on the Rolling Stone's album without the tongue.

It's unusual for the Madrone tree to get so large like this one.  It's been called the Octopus Tree.  The Native Americans would use the peeling bark to make medicinal tea.
   

These rock walls and other areas were made by the Chinese 150 years ago to channel water from the river to the mining areas.





Holes left behind by Woodpeckers hiding acorns for later meal.

It was nice to get back out in nature and Steve is getting his strength back slowly.

Next thing we knew it was Thanksgiving.  What was going to be only my parents and us turned into 16 people.  Everyone was there except my niece and her husband as they now live in Florida.
   
Always lots of good food!  Everyone brings something and helps out which makes it nice.
Then Ryan put up my parents tree.  My sister and Jaxon help decorate.

We also got a group pic in but I should've taken it earlier as Kaylee had to leave early.

We ended the month with our Black Friday usual hike.  Mike and Rose came along too.

Gerle Creek Trail is about 4 miles.  Again it's mostly flat and Steve did great.
Turkey Tail Mushrooms (thanks Angie for the name!)

Strange trunk left of this tree.  It's still alive too!
It was a great way to wrap up November.
Ryan, Jaxon and Diana's Santa picture.  Let's hope December goes more smoothly!


21 comments:

  1. So happy Steve is doing better...and glad to help out with Hurley (Calen loved him). Can't wait to get together when we get back to the area later this month!

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    1. So glad you guys were there to help :-)
      Yes, looking forward to a better visit next time!

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  2. GI bleed is very serious, so glad you took Steve in. Just read the post or I would have responded more quickly with a get well soon.

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    1. Thanks Mark. It was a scary time for sure. I'll pass on your note.

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  3. Oh my God, how scary is that?!?! So glad he is okay and recovering. I bet it was nice having family there to take care of Hurley and help out wherever needed.

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    1. Scary, yes. Very nice to have family and friends to help.

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  4. Yikes!!! Steve hasn't had a good year; sounds like California doesn't agree with him any more!!!

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    1. The holidays haven't been kind to him this past year!

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  5. So happy to hear that Steve is getting stronger. So scary when you don't know what is going on. Nice to see all the family together.

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    1. Poor Steve. He had to go through quite a bit that week. Frustrating not knowing if or when it may come back. Or not. Definitely enjoying time with the family though.

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  6. I hope he is better and that the DR. told hime to eat less red meat and beer. How would he survive that?

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    1. Thanks Dino. Luckily his problem isn't really affected by what he eats or drinks. :-)

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  7. Wow! Sure glad Steve is doing better! Hospitals are no place to be right now.

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    1. Thanks Jim. It sure is not fun being in the ICU when there are Covid patients there also even though they keep them as isolated as possible.

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  8. OMG how scary! Glad to hear he's on the mend. Nice you had family and friends to help.

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  9. sucks getting old i know how he feels Glad he is doing better

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  10. So sorry Steve (and you) went through such an ordeal. Glad he is doing better and you got to enjoy your beautiful family for Thanksgiving.

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    1. Thanks guys! It's been a bit strange and stressful this year and last.

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  11. Glad to hear that Steve bounced back and you had great support during the crisis. Hospital visits are always so stressful. Your pics are beautiful, such a lovely time of year to enjoy the outdoors. Looks like your Thanksgiving was wonderful :-)

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