Saturday, January 24, 2009

Hello all

I have been thinking of my sister Janet and her husband Ron vacationing on Isla off the coast of Cancun.  Their holiday time there is just about over.  I've thought of them almost  everyday.  I can't tell you how many times I've gone up and down the island on my bike with Janet.  The sun on my back and the wind in my face and the joy of it all when I was there with them a few years ago.

Yesterday Dolores and I went to Prince George.  We went to Medi-Chair and and I picked up my 50 Portal Thermovents.  I will now be able to go outside without thinking about the consequences.  The weather has turned cold on us here in Fort Fraser.  Not like the old days in this area where -40 C was a given but, as I write it is -20 but, there is no wind.  Yesterday and last night it was in the -15 range but windy and really cold. The Thermovents are here now and I can take part in out door chores on a regular basis. It was so good of Janet to help me out with the purchase of them.  I will always remember her generosity.

I have been much better this week.  I'm sleeping well and eating lots, there are even occasions when I have a snack between meals and before I go to bed.  I have started to drink my tube feed rather than take it through my G-tube.  During the past week or so, I noticed that I was getting an sick to my stomach when I was taking it through the tube.   It may have been because I "nebulize" at the same time as I'm doing a tube feed but, why is it upsetting me after all this time?  I have also cut down on the number of cans of tube feed I take each day.  I'm now down to 3 or 4 per day from 6 and my weight is holding steady at 175 lbs.  The cough is still bothering me and the mucus never lets up but, I have to live with that as a fact of life.

Dolores is well.  She has been suffering from back, neck and shoulder pains for years. It's part of her job at the hospital to lift patients and years of this has left her with soreness that never seems to go away.  Last week and this week she saw Dr. Cher Boomhower, ND and had Bowen Therapy treatments.  Last week after the treatment she was in pain but, it was a different pain from what she normally feels.  That's what happens with Bowen.  This morning she has no pain at all.  For the next week she will experience pain from time to time which is also what tends to happen.  Cher is off on a two week holiday in the sun but, Dolores will see her when she gets back if it is necessary.  Everyone else here is fine.

The new tractor a White/Allis has been giving David fits.  Hoses keep breaking and seals have been leaking, bolts have been popping off, switches don't work, fans shut off unexpectedly along with other annoying little troubles.  The Dealership mechanic has been out here from Prince George twice in the past week.  All of the problems have been minor and have been fixed promptly.  There is a full money back guarantee for 30 days and all are watching the calendar closely.  David likes the tractor and wants to keep it if the little things can be all sorted out.  It is big and powerful and can handle all of the farms requirements and of course it is a 4x4.

Time marches on and with each week there is a noticeable difference in the way I feel.  I am filling out and I am getting stronger and have lots more stamina.  The cold still bothers me and it is hard to breathe even with the Thermovents. Winter is long in this part of the country but, the snow is white, deep and it simply dazzles when the sun shines on it.

Enough for now, I'll post more in a week or so.

Love to everyone,

Rick

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Yo & hello

Hi All,

Welcome back.  It's been a while since I posted.  January is nearly half gone and this is a big birthday month for me.  My brothers John and Stephen will celebrate on the 15th and the 14th respectively, John's youngest son Tom on the 16th and Milton, brother of Dolores on the 18th. Happy B'day to them all.  John will continue to be the oldest of the Honey siblings at ?? (you can try to guess), Stephen will be 66 and he's 6 years younger than John and Tommy will be 40 something.  Milton will be 68.

I am well, eating more and more each day and starting to fill out a little bit.  I have cut back on the tube feeds to 2 a day from 3.  My weight is holding at around 178 lbs. and I am happy with that.  I still have the constant cough and mucus problem but, I am learning to live with that.  I have ordered the Portex Thermovents which will allow me to go outside on cold days. Yippee.

On a different note, the 4 wheel drive, a 1984 Universal tractor, used mainly in the winter and spring months for feeding the cattle, has upped and died.  David had just finished feeding the cows and was returning to the equipment shed when the engine blew sending a connecting rod through the side of the engine block thereby crippling the poor old beast.  Plans are now underway for Milton and David to visit all of the various farm implement dealers from here to Williams Lake looking for a suitable 4x4 replacement for old "Blue".  In the meantime David has temporarily rigged up "Big Red" a 2x4 tractor to use when feeding the cattle but, a 4x4 is required during the spring because of the soft ground.  A farmers troubles never seem to end.

Well, so long for now.  See you soon.

Love to everyone,

Rick

Thursday, January 1, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Hello all,

Happy New Year from snowy Fort Fraser, B.C. a winter wonderland.  It's snowing lightly and it is -14C.  Tomorrow will be really cold (-25C) but, for the rest of the week it will warm up considerably.  Yesterday I got outside to do some chores for the first time in three weeks.  I've been to Vanderhoof and Prince George but, this was my first time bringing in wood and shovelling snow.  I winded very easily and Dolores was with me to take over at those moments.  It felt good to be outside.  

We had a very quiet New Years Eve.  Dolores is working today and we were in bed by 10:00 PM.  5:30 AM comes very early and I was up with her this morning to say Happy New Year and have breakfast with her.  We both slept well last night and I am pleased to say that I have been feeling very good these last few days. 

Reg Koop and Margo Price called in to see us on the 27th.  It was really nice to visit with them.  Marjo and I worked together at the Development Bank in Prince George for many years and we are very good friends.  It was a great pick me up.  Company is always nice.

My sister Janet in Kingston, Ont. sent me a very nice Christmas present and I will be buying a box of 50 Portex Thermovents when we next go to Prince George.   I will then be able to go outside when the weather is cold.  Thank-you Janet.

Once again I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

Until the next time, bye for now,

Rick