Author: Contessa Jewall

I am trying to figure out if the subscribe by email is working. Did anyone get my last post dated May 19?

 

Contessa

Life goes on. It seems that we are quite occupied each day. Sounds like it is time to start planning to go back to the Isla 😎

 

 

 

 

 

Just a few days ago on Wednesday May 3rd Colin and I both tried our hand at some special photos that evening.

Much better, mucho gracias mi amor.

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. It was raining and chilly here so we stayed inside and cuddled with the girls.

 

I am no longer going to apologize for when I don’t post. Actually this is a good time for you to subscribe by email to my blog, that way you will be sure to get each and every post that I write. Top right corner of the post. I have all these plans of to do’s for the day including posting, but I am just having to go with the flow. Please hang in there with me.

In my last post I said …life is not perfect it but it could always be worse. We are happy with where we are at the moment. Well if we could get just have a bit more heat from the sun then life might even be perfect. Well life did get somewhat worse. However we do have heat and sunshine. Blue sky and sun can’t help but make one feel better. Well if you add in a beach and waves, that would be perfection.

We were relaxed and enjoying life day to day when we both had an issue. Colin who had worked in the garden in the last post developed an extremely painful back. He actually is no better today ( 11 days later ). So the day we had the window washer in – gosh he did a wonderful job, totally perfect but for $300.00 it should be. This company does not do screens, they are an additional $5.00 each. We have 19 screens but our response was that we would do them ourselves. Colin was unable to mange on his own so I helped him. Near the end of the four hours that Cody was here he wanted to move my computer and computer table further away from the window. I went to help him and of course fell ( this was my second fall in the past 4 days.). I ended up with my head hitting the window and other damage to my chest and rear end.

The next day I could not move my neck in either direction. So Friday the 28th we headed to Vernon to see our chiropractor – this would be Colin’s 3rd visit with her and my first. We both suffered over the weekend.  In July of 2018 ( thank you dear blog for having this information for me to refer to) while camping in Clearwater, BC,  we met a couple who gave us a card for an excellent chiropractor in Summerland – a 90 minute drive in each direction from where we live. We were more than happy with our Vernon chiropractor but she was not helping us in these extreme painful circumstances. So Colin drove to Summerland on his own on May 1st and we both went again on the 2nd. We are still in pain and it will take time for our bodies to start to heal now that they have adjusted.

I quite like the doctor, he has been in business for over 30 years. Colin’s issues are his issues but I always share my ‘stuff’ with you all. He gave me the most thorough examination that I have ever had. He was shocked that my back was straight, totally straight, I do not have a curve to my back like you all do, that S curve. He discovered that the right side of my neck was stuck and could not turn, it was locked and pushed forward. In the middle of my back certain vertebrae could not fully open and close and interlock as they should be, there was a blockage. Movement was impeded. Also my right pelvis was locked and when I walked the right hip could not move. Hmm I wonder if that is the reason I keep falling and also have so much pain in my right knee 😮 Perhaps I won’t be falling so much now.

Was totally done at the end of the treatment and as we drove the 90 miles home I could feel my body reacting to the many adjustments that I had receiver. Best of all I could move my neck a few inches in each direction. This moving there is a tiny bit of improvement. The doctor told me that I likely have been this way for some time and it will take a while to heal.

He did give me permission to use our vibration machine, to walk and for me to get back to my kinesiology exercises. Sadly I have let them lapse since early March when my cough began. I finished the two week cortisone inhaler which did help a bit but I still am coughing. I have repeatedly asked for the Valley Fever bloodwork to be done.The last conversation I had was this past Monday with the locum at my GP’s office. She was very bottom line and said that Valley Fever was not treated in Canada and that there was no protocol for it 😥 Not true, I made several phone calls and there is a protocol and a blood test which is paid for by our medical system. All I need is the requisition. I am having another meeting with my doctor tomorrow morning for that request.

Meanwhile I still have not heard anything about my knee X-ray. The locum said it might be 6 – 8 weeks. At this rate I doubt that I will be seeing a specialist soon. Remember that I paid to have the knee xray and the MRI done while in Mazatlan but the Canadian system will not accept those documents so I have to start all over again. However the locum doctor insists on a chest x ray re the Valley Fever 😮 . That is a complete waste of time and money. So I asked for them to send the paper work to Vernon which should not take as long and to please add on my knee x-ray. I will be having the x-rays next Tuesday.

I saw something online that I thought my help my cough. It is called AirPhysio and I ordered it. It really works. Yesterday was the first time that I could take a deep breathe, I suggest that any of you that have respiratory issues have a look at the link. Kudos to those in Australia who invented this device.

I am tired of writing about being unwell but It needs to be documented. Yesterday I actually did start my exercise program again. The veins in my legs look good and my face just has some barely pink spots. It’s time to get out walking and join the world again 😎

Thanks for sticking with me. I hope ( and need ) to be back on track soon.

Meanwhile anyone looking for a new RV think about this one 😀

 

…life is not perfect it but it could always be worse. We are happy with where we are at the moment. Well if we could get just have a bit more heat from the sun then life might even be perfect. I have read that the local fruit orchards and veggie gardens are at least two weeks behind last spring and last spring was already late. Seems like we will have to start living in the moment and just go day by day. We can no longer rely on the que pasa of past years. Certainly this past winter showed us all that no matter where one is, be it the US, Europe or even Mexico and especially the Isla that the climate has changed.

Today Colin and I took our parasite pill ( that we always take on our return from Mexico ). The first one was two weeks ago and today was the last one. We have never had a problem using this program. However I found it comical that the girls also got their monthly flea pill today. So today was the family day to get rid of bugs 😆

Today our window washers never showed despite that I booked them last August 12, 2022. I even booked this coming July 🙄 Fortunately the lady who booked me recalls that I had booked two sessions last August. They will be sending out a supervisor on Thursday to do the job. Great customer service. Just yesterday I got a call from my very very new dermatologist booking my annual check up next May/2024. How did we get to this point that we need to book so many appointments over a year in advance? I can barely keep track of this month never mind 13 months in advance.

It was actually nice  today to be able to start to clean up things that have been piled on my desk with no stress.

This afternoon we both heard a loon. I love loons but this is not their habitat. Perhaps it was just passing through. I can’t remember the last time I saw or heard a loon.. They have such a unique sound. 

I am quickly learning to live in the moment.

I have been wanting to share this with you for a few weeks. True photos taken in Mazatlan. You can see this almost unbelievable series of heron photos enjoying lunch by clicking on this Facebook link.  

In case you are not on Facebook here are a few teaser photos.

Wishing you all a relaxing evening and a peaceful sleep.

Just in case you are a Carol Burnett fan.

https://www.everythingzoomer.com/arts-entertainment/2023/04/25/carol-burnett-as-the-tv-legend-turns-90-celebrating-decades-of-laughter-and-love/

 

Happy to share that about an hour ago I completed the year end and our personal taxes 😛  It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The package of papers and lots of manually calculated numbers will be shipped Fed Ex tomorrow. Our accountant in Vancouver will then do his magic and figure out how we can pay the lowest in taxes. The company year end is only the end of May but our wonder guy needs the entire picture to sort things out as the personal taxes are due April 30th. Plus we are ever so slowly working on shutting down the company. We are very cautious at the moment about spending any money as instead we are using any extra pesos to pay towards future taxes. Hopefully we will soon ( a few years ) get to the  point where we can continue to enjoy life ( and not work ) while still drawing an annual salary but not have to pay taxes. Of course once we empty the company coffers we will be free and living off of our RIFFS and TFSAS and whatever else might be left. However Colin is already making plans to keep working, just not in our incorporated company. He will never retire 🙄  However I am pretty much done. This was my 32nd year of doing these taxes ( we have been married 36 years ). I am more that ready to retire. If he continues to work he will have to figure out the tax part of it all on his own.

Our weather remains dreary, rainy and cold – well at least to us. I have yet to get out for a walk since we returned home on Easter Sunday. Of course my various medical procedures have affected my freedom to get out and walk. Tomorrow my right leg gets to be free from the thigh high elastic stocking but it will then be the left legs turn. Sadly despite the special glue that can be used to bind the stocking to my thigh, it usually does not work and I am at half mast with my stocking dangling below my knee 😳 After tomorrow I will then be vein treatment free until the end of September.  Between the taxes which are now complete and my face which is now covered with scabs but is always itchy and constantly having a thigh high stocking until May 1st I am rather drained.  For some reason I decided to get all the medical appointments done at the same time that I was doing taxes. Not the greatest plan. I was just trying to get out of wearing stockings during the heat at this time of year. Thus far we have had not heat so that has not been an issue. Oh well I will still be free on May 1st and that is important to me 😎 Of course I am to stay out of the sun forever. Well than never works cuz of the reflection of the sun off the sand on the Isla, but I do the best I can.

Two evenings ago we noticed that the swallows are back. I have no idea how many, but at least over 100 and they do the most wonderful ballet all over the sky. We are so lucky to see these artists doing their thing at dusk everyday.

Despite the rain the girls have been doing very well. Today was the only day they did not get out on on a walk. I can see that they have become somewhat spoiled over the winter. Ciela constantly wants to sit on us. On the Isla they altered between sitting on our laps or on the foot stool that I used outside. They did their own thing quite a bit but they really wanted to be near us and still do. We have been gone re appointments most days for at least 2.5 hours. Via the nanny cam we have seen that they are not barking but they do get restless and on occasion whine a bit. They have become so used to having us in reach.

They are still puppies and in training. Because we have both been at our desks for long periods of time these past few weeks they have taken to nudging our legs with their long noses to let us know that it is time to give them some attention.

FYI ( Dee ) the black headband I was wearing in the last post was not my doing but put on me by the dermatologist. However that is what made me  that I looked like my mother.

One of these days I will get back to showing you photos that I took on the Isla but never had time to share.

Well nothing exciting happening. Basically just doing the annual maintenance on myself 🙄  I am trying to get it all done as well as the taxes so that I can have a do nothing May, well except for planting our garden.

Way too cold to even think about planting anything yet. We woke up today to white roofs all around us. Not snow but frost. It was -2C/28F. Tonight we are expecting 2C/35F, yes a bit warmer but still a risk of frost. The weather guessers have promised us sunshine tomorrow with a high of 55F.

We continue to be busy but its all mostly centred on me. This past Monday was day one of my four annual vein treatments. One session in each leg in April and the final session end of September before we head south. I have been doing this for just over 8 years now and it does help keep my veins in check. Sclerotherapy is a medical procedure used to eliminate varicose veins and spider veins. My legs are much better but this past Monday ( right let ) and likely next Monday on the left leg there are a few troublesome areas. Many of you have seen photos over the years. I look like a human pin cushion. Yesterday we have a longish meeting with our financial advisor. It does look like things will be getting better mid year and into 2024. About time 🙂

Today was the most difficult maintenance of them all. My dermatologist had retired and moved to Victoria. She was pretty much the only on here in Kelowna. Now we have three new ones but I still had to wait ten months to see Dr. B. I have read mostly negative reviews. You can’t always believe those. She is a delightful young lady ( makes me feel old ) who has a great personality and cares about her patient/me and is willing to give. We have the talk about the Que Pasa of the spots on my face and chest. The chest ones are precancerous plus I have two different ‘spots’ happening on my face. About five years ago I had electrocautery done to my face spots.The wonderful thing is that it lasted almost 4 years. The past two springs the dermatologist just used cryotherapy on my spots and that did not last long. However new spots are always forming in my face. One should use a minimum of SPF35 on your face, I have been using SPF 25 followed by SPF 50 or 70 daily for several days. What I have not been doing is reapplying the face lotion every two hours. Today I was told that it really only lasts two years. So despite wearing my hat all the time and I really do, the sun has still been reflecting off the sand etc. has contributed to my blemishes. I have pre cancerous spots as well as sun spots but the worst is the Seborrheic Keratosis which I mostly have. Bottom line, start applying lotion every two hours.

So today we agreed to try the electrocautery. Despite the superficial anaesthetic it really did hurt. The worst part was smelling my flesh burning. So tonight I have a prickly sore face. I was told today that the key is to keep everything moist. Do not let the scabs dry out. Dr. B suggested doing the procedure on May 4th. Colin piped up and asked if it could be done today as I was having a special birthday in May and he did not want me looking horrible. We were both surprised today that she said if we could wait twenty minutes that she would do it then 😀 I really am pleased with my new dermatologist. She told me to get my GP to do a referral for next year. She also asked me to come back in two weeks as a follow up visit. I have never been offered that before.

Fortunately my afternoon kinesiology appointment tomorrow was cancelled by my therapist. I will be honest, I am in a world of a pain tonight. Hope that part will be gone by tomorrow.I am hopeful that this will remove the worst of my spots and that I might not have to do anything for two years. Colin thinks that I am crazy to voluntarily have these things done to me. However he was there for me and didn’t say anything as I squeezed his hand so hard when Dr. B worked some parts of my face that had not taken to the topical anesthetic. She offered to stop and inject me all over with a different anesthetic but I just gritted my teeth and said keep going. I wanted it to be over.

The girls have been left alone for 2.5 hours on each of my maintenance days. They have not barked ( love our nanny cam ) but they do miss us and don’t relax. May 1st is not too far away 😎

 

 

So I spoke with my doctor on the phone last Tuesday and of course she said she had to see me in person. At least I was able to order a few refills for some meds, get an X-ray ordered for my sore knee and a doctors referral for my veins. I saw my doctor in person on Friday. It appears that there is a new policy that is being enforced which is ten minutes per visit. Basically that means that you are only allowed to address one health issue per visit.

So I made a note of the time she came into the room for my 12:00 noon appointment. It was 12:03 PM. Was asked what I wanted to see her about, my cough of course. She listened to my chest and said it sounded fine. I said that it was a dry cough. She said that it was possibly caused by post nasal drip or acid reflux and said she would give me meds for one and if they doesn’t work then we could try other meds for the second possible cause. I strongly said that no this is not what is causing my cough. Cough lozenges, cough syrups and anti-inflammatory meds ordered by the Mexican doctor I saw on the Isla have not helped. The only thing that calms the cough briefly is tequila or brandy. No I have never smoked, not even one puff ever!  No I do not have asthma. I asked about dust, if that could be the cause? Possibly she said.

Colin and I found our RV spot on the Isla has become increasingly dusty over the years. Now there are many more ATV’s and horses and tractors going up and down the narrow road that is beside. Our dust screen has helped but it is not enough to stop the clouds of dust flying over our site both front and back of the RV. This past winter there was some construction started next to us just across that narrow road. It involved moving tons and tons of sand with front end loaders ( I have photos to share with you in another post ). Interesting article on dry coughing.

So after some back and forth with the doctor she suggested I try an inhaler which should help alleviate some of the inflammation in my lungs and might give them chance to heal and stop the coughing. I am taking two puffs in the morning and then 12 hours later another two puffs. I felt a tiny bit better Friday, no change yesterday and but more coughing today. Hard to explain but it is a somewhat different cough but it still hurts my chest when I cough. I am hoping to feel better in the days to come. This is what I am inhaling. Of course one of the side effects is cough 😳 In short I have a dust allergy. No wonder I have been exhausted, I am wearing out my lungs. It is somewhat concerning as both of parents died because of lung complications but as I like to say poco a poco. I will take this one day at a time and do the best that I can. It is a relief to have a cause, that is the first step.

So at exactly 12:10 she started to go out the door. I said that she owed me three minutes and quickly asked her how long I would have to wait for my x-ray and what would happen when she got the results. I got short answers but she wasn’t too pleased pleased with me. Now she was 3 minutes late for the next patient 🙄

The RV has been unloaded and cleaned on the inside. It has just been put into the storage lot. That was a lot of work. I am pleased to add that my total laundry loads for this year was fourteen. I am glad that that is over. Now I can start working on taxes and the company year end. I have decided to take the rest of today off. My long term goal is to have all of the to dos done by the end of April. May will be for resting, walking, planting flowers and a garden.

I don’t know what this means but at the same time that we started the RV engine the business phone rang. It was a client with a  job 🙄 I’m torn.

I finally found some photos of Semana Santa on the Isla. Photos were taken by LINK Sinaloa.

If you are on Facebook you can see the rest by clicking https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=771108871038483&set=pcb.771109001038470

We will be there next year for Semana Santa as well as for the eclipse.

 

Got home about 11:40AM Sunday. No problems crossing the border. Even better I did declare my extra wine and was allowed to keep it. But it  took about an hour to unhook, clear off the cement stanchions that we have used along with a chain to block off our driveway. Then the girls could not wait a moment longer. So we left the RV parked on the road and let them into the yard. They loved it and ran and chased each other and kept coming back to kiss us. They ran all through the house as well. Finally we left them inside ( not very warm out at all – I had a fleece and a Northern Face windbreaker on ) and we got the RV parked.

Then the unloading began. So much back and forth. We worked Monday and today as well. So now the RV is empty as well as the basement and the Jeep. I have done 7 loads of laundry, 4 for the RV linens and towels and 3 for all the dog blankets. Before I continue with the next and 6 – 7 loads of our clothing Colin will vacuum out all the dog hair in the washer and in the dryer.

Door to door we covered 5092miles/8195kms. Some days seemed longer than others. We had a great sleep in the very quiet Omak Walmart. By only driving 138 miles that last day we were able to have plenty of time to park before we started the unloading. The highest we paid for diesel was 5.57 USD per US gallon on October 19, 2022 and the lowest we paid was $3.79USD per gallon in Idaho. Our last fill up was Sunday, April 9th and the price was $4.77 per gallon as the very same station that we first filled up on, October 19th, the day we crossed into the US @ 5.57US.

Overall it was a good drive from Las Vegas to home. The hills in Oregon were so very green. We did have to stop in Pendleton to get the RV engine air compressor belt tightened. They had put in a new one before we left in October and it had stretched and was in need of tightening. The Kennworth/Cummins shop said they were busy for the next few days but Colin asked if they could at least look at the engine. They did and fixed the problem and said no charge. Colin handed the fellow a twenty. We were very lucky to get this service done on Saturday of the Easter long weekend.

So happy to be home but I think I like the bed and duvet in the RV better. And yes the kids have been in our bed since we left Vegas. Hopefully tonight they will be in their crate. They both have been using it for naps.