PVCs, Groupons, and Other Trivia
I think we should probably have designated today as Cardiologist Appreciation Day in the DLM (Miller) family. Three of us ladies saw one of them today.
Mom and I had appointments at the same time with Dr. Boxberger, who comes to Hutchinson only once a month from Wichita. Her appointment had been made six months ago. Mine was made recently by my primary care doctor, Dr. Darnauer. Mom, Dad, Linda, and I had our own little family rendezvous this morning in the lobby at the Summit Group building. Lois was in Wichita for a heart catheterization.
Mom is fine. We are all relieved that both she and I have a good blood supply to the brain.
I have sub-clinical vascular disease. That means it barely shows on a doctor's radar, as I understand it, but I do have one valve that isn't quite closing right. No treatment is recommended. Lois has the most drama going on.
When I learned that Lois had many thousands of PVCs recorded during 48 hours of monitoring, and fewer than ten are normal in the same time period, I thought perhaps the plumber/vascular system analogies had gotten out of hand. Then I learned that PVCs are premature ventricular contractions. Today the peek inside, via heart catheter, revealed no blockages, which means that the cause defaults to that other possibility: off-kilter electrical impulses.
As far as I know, none of several possible treatment options has been chosen. A meeting with the heart specialist who deals with electrical problems took place this evening. (Electrical problems. I think we're on a handyman terminology slippery slope again.)
********************
I got a new windshield installed in my minivan today right there outside the kitchen at school. The service was a Groupon purchase last May (a $59.00 coupon purchase entitled me to $150.00 off on the price), and I got it scheduled just before the Groupon expired. Chapman Auto Glass was very good to work with.
********************
It's raining this evening, but the big rains should come tomorrow. We have been blessed of late. Rain is still such a treasure though that people can't stop smiling when it comes.
*******************
I'm hearing some more good Levi and Clara stories, which I hope to share at some point. Linda is doing some leg work for me, and I think I'll go to the Miller supper tomorrow evening at Carolyn's in hopes of hearing more from my aunts and uncles.
******************
Today I heard something that warmed my teacher heart. A student said, after I read an editorial out loud that was not entirely comprehensible to the students, "I wish I knew more about government so that I could understand that better." It was the "I wish I knew . . . " part that thrilled me. Curiosity is the best precursor to learning that I know of, and since teaching is my business, I love it when students make learning their business.
******************
Hiromi got himself a new computer today. His wasn't working very satisfactorily anymore. It's a sleek "thick monitor/CPU combination" one. I'm angling for his old flat screen monitor. I'm still using a monster monitor.
******************
The students at school are working on their Pilgrim Party Platform Posters. (Notice the breathtaking alliteration?) I chose nine different election issues and randomly assigned three students to research each issue and come up with a plank for a platform the people in our school can agree on. They're to define the matter, consult some existing party platforms, consult some non-party sources, and find some applicable Scriptural principles. All these go on the posters. Reporting on the subject is taxing the underclassmen especially--as evidenced by the fact that one of them gave it as a prayer request at school. I realize it's stretching them, but I'm really proud of them for rising to the challenge and learning a lot in the process. The juniors are giving good leadership to the project--an extension to their composition class projects.
******************
Shady Lady is the name of a tomato variety that Lowell and Judy brought us a sample of last night. It has good flavor (but not quite as good as Fabulous, according to Hiromi). I understand it has some other good things going for it. The producer in Colorado grew some Fabulous last year. He must know a thing or two about choosing good-flavored varieties.
*****************
Brandi has some dirty little secrets. I find remnants strewn about on the porch of what used to be in my flower pots, but I hardly ever find her doing her naughty digging and tugging. A lot of it doesn't matter much, because the plants died during the brutal summer heat, but I think it's a shame that she doesn't find another place of repose besides the wide potting soil surface at the top of the pots.
******************
I hear that Tristan was discovered crunching on an eggshell he rescued from the garbage. He loves Brandi and may have learned some bad tricks from her. Or maybe not. Maybe he's just a normal 9 1/2 month old child, capable of inventing his own vices.
Mom and I had appointments at the same time with Dr. Boxberger, who comes to Hutchinson only once a month from Wichita. Her appointment had been made six months ago. Mine was made recently by my primary care doctor, Dr. Darnauer. Mom, Dad, Linda, and I had our own little family rendezvous this morning in the lobby at the Summit Group building. Lois was in Wichita for a heart catheterization.
Mom is fine. We are all relieved that both she and I have a good blood supply to the brain.
I have sub-clinical vascular disease. That means it barely shows on a doctor's radar, as I understand it, but I do have one valve that isn't quite closing right. No treatment is recommended. Lois has the most drama going on.
When I learned that Lois had many thousands of PVCs recorded during 48 hours of monitoring, and fewer than ten are normal in the same time period, I thought perhaps the plumber/vascular system analogies had gotten out of hand. Then I learned that PVCs are premature ventricular contractions. Today the peek inside, via heart catheter, revealed no blockages, which means that the cause defaults to that other possibility: off-kilter electrical impulses.
As far as I know, none of several possible treatment options has been chosen. A meeting with the heart specialist who deals with electrical problems took place this evening. (Electrical problems. I think we're on a handyman terminology slippery slope again.)
********************
I got a new windshield installed in my minivan today right there outside the kitchen at school. The service was a Groupon purchase last May (a $59.00 coupon purchase entitled me to $150.00 off on the price), and I got it scheduled just before the Groupon expired. Chapman Auto Glass was very good to work with.
********************
It's raining this evening, but the big rains should come tomorrow. We have been blessed of late. Rain is still such a treasure though that people can't stop smiling when it comes.
*******************
I'm hearing some more good Levi and Clara stories, which I hope to share at some point. Linda is doing some leg work for me, and I think I'll go to the Miller supper tomorrow evening at Carolyn's in hopes of hearing more from my aunts and uncles.
******************
Today I heard something that warmed my teacher heart. A student said, after I read an editorial out loud that was not entirely comprehensible to the students, "I wish I knew more about government so that I could understand that better." It was the "I wish I knew . . . " part that thrilled me. Curiosity is the best precursor to learning that I know of, and since teaching is my business, I love it when students make learning their business.
******************
Hiromi got himself a new computer today. His wasn't working very satisfactorily anymore. It's a sleek "thick monitor/CPU combination" one. I'm angling for his old flat screen monitor. I'm still using a monster monitor.
******************
The students at school are working on their Pilgrim Party Platform Posters. (Notice the breathtaking alliteration?) I chose nine different election issues and randomly assigned three students to research each issue and come up with a plank for a platform the people in our school can agree on. They're to define the matter, consult some existing party platforms, consult some non-party sources, and find some applicable Scriptural principles. All these go on the posters. Reporting on the subject is taxing the underclassmen especially--as evidenced by the fact that one of them gave it as a prayer request at school. I realize it's stretching them, but I'm really proud of them for rising to the challenge and learning a lot in the process. The juniors are giving good leadership to the project--an extension to their composition class projects.
******************
Shady Lady is the name of a tomato variety that Lowell and Judy brought us a sample of last night. It has good flavor (but not quite as good as Fabulous, according to Hiromi). I understand it has some other good things going for it. The producer in Colorado grew some Fabulous last year. He must know a thing or two about choosing good-flavored varieties.
*****************
Brandi has some dirty little secrets. I find remnants strewn about on the porch of what used to be in my flower pots, but I hardly ever find her doing her naughty digging and tugging. A lot of it doesn't matter much, because the plants died during the brutal summer heat, but I think it's a shame that she doesn't find another place of repose besides the wide potting soil surface at the top of the pots.
******************
I hear that Tristan was discovered crunching on an eggshell he rescued from the garbage. He loves Brandi and may have learned some bad tricks from her. Or maybe not. Maybe he's just a normal 9 1/2 month old child, capable of inventing his own vices.
posted by Mrs. I (Miriam Iwashige) at
8:02 PM
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