Pre-op Bits and Pieces and a Cruise in April!!!! - November 17, 2015

A beautiful day in San Mateo as I went about my tasks -

nothing like Mumbai traffic and madness!

It's been a busy week for me.  I finished up my preparation for tomorrow's right total shoulder replacement. I saw Dr. Yan, my primary care provider, the middle of last week for my preop physical and EKG - good to go in that department, then went yesterday for a chest x-ray and type  and crossmatch - though I don't anticipate needing any blood.  I expect all will go as smoothly as it did when I had my left shoulder done two years ago.  I am so ready for this operation since I have been in so much pain for the past year.  I know recovery will be a little more difficult since I won't be able to use my dominant hand for awhile ...Thanksgiving is out for me since I'll only be a week postop and I won't be up for a drive to Sacramento and hanging out all day with everyone.  I'll relax at home, maybe have a turkey TV dinner, a vodka martini, and a long snooze!

Did a few last minute tasks today, filled the car with gas, got a manicure and pedicure, prepared my advanced directive for health care, finished filling out hospital forms, went out for spicy Chinese food and did laundry.

I am really excited about one thing!  For the first time in over five years, I will be going on a cruise.  My good friend, Kris Bleything and I will be doing the fourteen day transatlantic crossing April 16th from Tampa to Barcelona on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Seas.  After a week in Barcelona, she will come with me to India for a month.  Of course, I am planning to stay a few months but I am so excited to have a friend along with me for a little while - the first time I'll be able to show off "the country of my heart" to one of my American friends.  

Even nicer is that we'll spend a couple of days with my friend, Charlene, in Tampa, to start off our journey.

Well, enough chatter ... time to do my last minute check list and try to get a good night's sleep before my surgical adventure tomorrow.  At least Doctor Dreamy aka John Belzer, MD, is my orthopedist!

The sunset sky above my friend's condo with just a sliver of a moon.

Our Beautiful World - Stone - The Acropolis, Athens, Greece, November 15, 2015

I have been fortunate to see many of the world's most beautiful places - the Acropolis in Athens, Greece and the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, being among the most special.

The Acropolis of Athens, according to Wikipedia, "is an ancient citadel located high on a rocky outcrop above the city of Athens and contains several buildings of historical and architectural significance."  Seeing it always gives me chills and begins day dreams about what life must have been like in the time of Pericles and the ancient Greeks.  I sip wine in Plaka tavernas, feast on spanokapita, taramasalata and lamb and my imagination runs wild.  

I am participating in: OBW 123 ~ 123 Stone

"H" Is for Hospital - November 10, 2010

"H" Is for Hospital

"H" is for hospital,

I hate going there,

Even when given,

The very best care!

They give you a gown,

That never stays tied,

And gapes open often,

To expose your backside.

Early each morning,

You suffer great pain,

When the lab tech arrives,

And misses your vein.

It's almost impossible,

To get any rest,

You're constantly bothered,

For some kind of test.

I'm the grouchiest patient,

With the surliest mood,

When I get these infusions,

Instead of real food.

To tell you the truth,

There isn't much worse,

Than being a patient,

When you're also a nurse!!

It really is scary,

To be feeling so sick,

And the road to recovery,

Isn't so quick.

And if that's not enough,

When you're given your bill,

You'll suffer a relapse,

And really feel ill.



Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c)  Carmen Henesy

November 10, 2010

All rights reserved

  Exactly five years ago, I wrote this poem for another blog, posted just after

hospitalization for cellulitis of my left ankle.  I thought I would repost it since I am being

hospitalized again.  I will be admitted to California Pacific Medical Center, Pacific Campus, San Francisco, November 18th, for my right total shoulder arthroplasty, to be done by

Dr. John Belzer, surgeon to the likes of athletes of the Golden State Warriors, San Francisco Forty Niners and other pro athletic teams - as well as members of the San Francisco Ballet!  He is an excellent orthopedic surgeon who, if good looks and a charming

bedside manner were a prerequisite, could replace Patrick Dempsey on "Grey's

Anatomy" ( I can't vouch for his acting ability ).  

I'd like to ask that everyone offer up a prayer for my well being - and that of my surgeon, 

his assistant, the anesthesiologist, the surgical team and all involved in my care and recovery.  We could all use a little Divine intervention!

"H" Is for Hospital

"H" Is for Hospital

"H" is for hospital,

I hate going there,

Even when given,

The very best care!

They give you a gown,

That never stays tied,

And gapes open often,

To expose your backside.

Early each morning,

You suffer great pain,

When the lab tech arrives,

And misses your vein.

It's almost impossible,

To get any rest,

You're constantly bothered,

For some kind of test.

I'm the grouchiest patient,

With the surliest mood,

When I get these infusions,

Instead of real food.

To tell you the truth,

There isn't much worse,

Than being a patient,

When you're also a nurse!!

It really is scary,

To be feeling so sick,

And the road to recovery,

Isn't so quick.

And if that's not enough,

When you're given your bill,

You'll suffer a relapse,

And really feel ill.



Carmen Henesy

Copyright (c)  Carmen Henesy

November 10, 2010

All rights reserved