This week

Posted on May 1, 2011 by ruthek

Lots of things happened.

Still taking Cipro (until Tuesday). Slightly better each day, but still a problem.

I am going to move again. I didn't really plan to do this, but I've been unhappy with this apartment for some time now. After my fight with the landlord I think it's best if I get out. So I've been spending a lot of time looking, online and otherwise. There are lots of apartments for rent but not many I want or can afford.

Because of this, and because I should do it anyway, I'm trying to get rid of stuff. Last week I shredded or threw out tax returns from 1988 through 2002. I didn't even know I had them. They came with my divorce.

Last weekend I went to a benefit concert for Japan, actually the second one I've been to. This was at Pitt and included some Japanese cultural things as well as good music. This photo is from the tea ceremony.

I found it strange and interesting to have the camera man right in there with the participants while a ghostly image of the action was projected onto the screen behind. It reminded me of the Bunraku performance I saw in Osaka where the puppet masters stand directly next to the life-size puppets. All the camera man needed was a black hood around his head.

More beautiful trees from the 'burgh. These are in a somewhat run down park that was once the site of George Westinghouse's mansion.

The week that was

Posted on April 21, 2011 by ruthek

Last Wednesday I took the Megabus to Philadelphia. Except for the fact that there's no way to get up and walk around, it's a decent way to travel. Of course, they leave before dawn, which meant I had to get up at 4:30, but it was OK. I met Renee in Philly and we went to the Chagall exhibit at the Museum of Fine Art. Very nice. We also walked around South Street; went to the Magic Garden, Reading Market, and Eastern State Penitentiary; staying overnight to do all of this.

Finally, exhausted, we got on another Megabus and went to New York, where I went to the Japan Society to see Bye, Bye Kitty, a really good exhibit put together before the earthquake, but entirely appropriate to the circumstance, and then spent time at the Met. I can't go to New York without spending time at the Met. Also went to visit friends who have just moved into a new apartment.

Robin and Steve drove in on Saturday and we had dinner with Steve's family: Renee, Michael and Rosemary. On Sunday Renee went to Boston to have a Passover Seder with Steve's sister, Robin and Steve moved to the apartment (musical apartments) and we had our Seder with friends in Teaneck. Our friends have a mixed marriage: he's Ashkenazi; she's Sephardi. The Seder is always a blend of their traditions, making it more interesting for us.

Now comes the bad part:

We were supposed to stay until yesterday morning, but I had a problem so my kids very kindly brought me back to Pittsburgh on Tuesday. Two weeks ago I had the implant inserted where my tooth had been pulled. It became infected, although I wasn't certain of it until Sunday. Monday morning I called the oral surgeon and got a perscription for an antibiotic, but it didn't seem to help. Feeling worse on Tuesday, with obvious swelling of my cheek, we drove back. Yesterday, I spent the morning back at the oral surgeon's. You don't want to know the details. I'm still swollen and not certain it's getting better. I am allergic to penicillin and tetracycline, and I've had bad side effects from levaquin. It makes it very hard for me to take antibiotics. They've been alternating between two arithromycins, but now they don't seem to be working. So I'm taking cipro, a levaquin-type, and keeping my fingers crossed.

Christmas wrap…. up

Posted on December 25, 2010 by ruthek

Hope everyone has a great holiday and a wonderful new year. We had our usual Shabat dinner last night, but it was extra special because good friends joined us and Charna was there. She always makes it special.

I lost the limp today and my leg seems to have regained a full range of motion. I still have some twinges so decided not to go to exercise today. Tomorrow, I promise. (I've said that for two days now.)

The paper is finished. I brought a copy for Steve to read and hope Charna will read it also. (Robin, too, if she wants) As soon as I hear from them, I'll post it. I'm happy to have it off my plate.

I've made a tentative reservation to go to Japan in March. I want to make a few changes, then I'll get the ticket.

Next up: back to the folded book.

Never complain about boredom

Posted on December 23, 2010 by ruthek

Last night, after writing about having nothing on the calendar, and after doing more work on the paper, I stood up from my chair and one of the muscles behind my left knee spasmed; I could barely walk. I'm still in pain and barely walking today. It's given me a lot to think about–mostly about how fast you can go from great to terrible.

I was feeling wonderful yesterday. I walked down to Squirrel Hill (about 2 miles) and still felt wonderful. Of course that my have been the cause; it was a cold walk. So, today will be the first time in months I break my exercise routine. If I can get there tomorrow, it won't be too bad.

I'm writing this in bed with my feet up, hoping some of the swelling will go down. This has never been a comfortable position for me so I'll see how long it lasts. Years ago I read a story about someone staying in bed and working; telephone and coffeepot on a table next to the bed; small refrigerator nearby; you get the picture. Actually, this was before computers, so I guess it was just pencil and paper. It sounded good to me, but I never got there. Bed was always for sleeping or sex, nothing more.

Some days are good

Posted on October 17, 2010 by ruthek

Some are not. That seems to happen more and more as I get older. I heard Yo Yo Ma on Studio 360 this morning talking about his cello. He said humidity is different every day; cellos and human bodies are different every day. I really understand that.

Today is supposed to be the last great day we will have for awhile. It's truly beautiful out: sunshine, blue skies, not too warm. I've been walking for three and a half hours. First stop–health club. Since I faded out Wednesday, I've been more careful. Went again on Saturday but stopped after treadmill and rowing. I was feeling OK; just didn't feel like pushing it. Finished the workout this morning then kept walking. Took a book back to the library, went to Whole Foods for lunch, browsed in Borders, stopped for chocolate ice cream on Highland Avenue, then went to the Orchid Show in Mellon Park, finally back home. Altogether, I walked about four miles. I'm tired, my feet hurt but otherwise I'm fine. It's a great day.

Alice and Mage: I have discussed with the doctor the problem of determining how sick I am. Unfortunately, outside of collapsing or passing out, there are no black and white symptoms. So, it remains a matter of my judgment.

Exercise is I

Posted on October 14, 2010 by ruthek

Since my cardio-rehab program ended I've been diligent about going to the health club three days a week. (that's been one whole week) Yesterday was a beautiful day; I was feeling good; I went and did my thing, for a while. I began with 20 minutes on the treadmill. I was feeling so good I went a little faster than usual and slightly increased the incline. Great!

Then I got on the rowing machine and my arms and legs turned to rubber. I don't like the rowing machine; I find it the most difficult of all the exercises. So, deciding my mind was trying to get me to play hookey, I kept on for my usual ten minutes. Then I sat there. It's not particularly comfortable but I didn't even try to get up for several minutes. Finally, I got up and sat on the bicycle seat next to the rowing machine–slightly more comfortable. Eventually I made my way to the lounge and sat on the sofa for a long time. I'm not sure what was going on: possibly low blood pressure. After what seemed like a long rest I got up and went home, took a nap then finally got to most of the other things on the schedule, but I never did feel good.

This morning, feeling good again, I finished my workout at the club. I'm still not sure how bad things have to get before I ask for help. I would have been very annoyed with myself if I had gone to the hospital yesterday. What do I have to feel before I make that decision?

Start! Heart Walk

Posted on October 11, 2010 by ruthek

Sorry I've been so slow about this, Mage, but I was very tired afterward and also had some other work I had promised to do on Friday, then promptly forgot.

So, here it is: The event was held at Heinz Field, home of the Steelers. This is the first time I've ever been there.

Mostly it was held in the parking lot and the area near one of the entrances. They let us go in to what is known as the Great Hall, but the stands and the field were securely locked up.

Vendors with heart related products had booths, along with a few hospital groups. There are only a few hospitals around here. Most of them are UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center).

I had the feeling most of the people attending had some kind of relationship with the vendors or the hospitals. I don't think the American Heart Association did a very good job of publicizing the event. They were able to use the stadium because this was the Steeler's bye week. Every news broadcast talked about the Steelers not playing this weekend; it seems to me they could have mentioned the Heart Walk in connection with it.

The event began at 10 am with lots of milling around and opportunities to visit vendors. Nothing really happened until 11.

That's the Steeler's mascot, Steely McBeam, scaring a small child.

Then there was a half hour of speeches and some warm up stuff geared to thin, healthy people of which there weren't too many around. Finally, the walk began, about 11:30.

I never found my cardio-rehab people, Robin was otherwise occupied, and I never saw a single person I knew. So I walked alone among hundreds of people.

It was a nice walk; half of it was on a pleasant trail next to the Allegheny River. But the day was unseasonably hot. It would have been much better if they had walked at 10 and had the speeches afterward. I completed the entire 3 miles, but the heat knocked me out.

This is a survivors hat that was given to me for surviving heart disease. I should have gotten another one for surviving the walk. My idea of a survivor is someone who had gone through the event and lives to tell about it. I think I've only survived the skirmishes; the battle won't be over until the afib wins.

Thank you again, Mage and Robin, for helping me raise money for the event. If anyone else wants to contribute, it will count towards my goal for the next 30 days. I dedicated my walk to Arvin's memory; it would be nice if I could reach my goal in his memory.

More health stuff

Posted on October 3, 2010 by ruthek

I've decided to do the American Heart Association's Heart Walk next Sunday. I'll be walking 3.1 miles, a little more than usual, but not impossible. Since I've been doing the cardio rehab I hear about all these opportunities to contribute. The rehab is holding a raffle with some great goodies in it: an iPad, a Wii and some other stuff. Needless to say, I bought lots of raffle tickets. I made a contribution to the AHA in memory of my brother who suffered from heart disease most of his life, including having 2 bypass surgeries. I've been lucky: just a stent and a pacemaker.

If you'd like to sponsor me, family, just click on the "Sponsor Me" button on the badge to the right. You might also come and walk with me.

Army of Women

Posted on October 1, 2010 by ruthek

One of my favorite cousins, Barbara, asked me to include this in my blog. Until she emailed me I knew nothing about the Love/Avon Army of Women, an initiative "that connects breast cancer researchers via the internet with women who are willing to participate in a wide variety of research studies. The goal of the Army of Women is to recruit ONE MILLION MEN AND WOMEN of all ages and ethnicities, including breast cancer survivors and those who have never had breast cancer." To learn more about it go to the website.

I always worried about breast cancer, certain that was to be my fate; there was so much of it in my family. Since I got my heart disease diagnosis I don't worry about it so much for myself, but I have a daughter, a granddaughter and so many good friends.

Some things you should know about the AOW:

You are signing up to be added to the Army of Women database to hear about research projects—signing up for the Army of Women does NOT sign you up for a study yet.
The Army of Women Research Studies are prevention based, not clinical trials.
Participants must be 18 and older–but we need ALL ethnicities–ALL ages. We need healthy women, women with cancer and women who are survivors.
There is absolutely NO COST to join and take part in something this important. We are not asking for donations, just for women to sign up and agree to hear about studies. Participation in any of our studies is ALWAYS, COMPLETELY voluntary.
Participants will be involved in important research to discover THE CAUSE of breast cancer–how to stop it before it starts.
You have the ability to participate only in those projects that interest you.You can opt to decline any study invitation, or accept any invitation of their choosing.
Current Projects: You can familiarize yourself with our current studies, what they require and what they are looking by reviewing our current, open studies here: www.armyofwomen.org/current

Join me, register here.

Day Six, New York

Posted on July 28, 2010 by ruthek

I meant to post every day, but can't seem to stick with it. Here's what happened in the last few days. On Sunday evening, I went out for lobster dinner with Barbara. I haven't had lobster in years, and I loved it. It's probably another one of those things I shouldn't have. Not because of the lobster, per se, but the butter. I was good, didn't use the extra quarter pound they gave us melted, but, nonetheless, there was butter on the lobster.

I'm so tired of the shoulds and shouldn'ts. Eating has gone from being a source of pleasure to just another maintenance thing. I'm hoping losing weight will make my legs feel better, choosing mobility rather than pleasure, but I've decided that when I'm 80, not so long from now, thin or fat, I'm going to eat cheese, fruit, bread and ice cream, exclusively.

Back to NYC: Monday the weather was decent, humidity was manageable, nice breeze, so I opted to walk around and do a little shopping. I took the subway down to 34th St., then walked up Sixth Ave., and visited all the bead stores. No, I wasn't looking for beads. I was looking for interesting fibers I might use for book binding. That's where my head is these days. I didn't find much, but it was a lovely walk ending in Bryant Park, one of the great places in NYC. Then some bus riding, more walking in the East Village, finally a nap back at the apartment, then dinner with Rose.

Bryant Park pics

I am fascinated with the thing at the top. No idea what it is.

I like the way those curves work together.

Yesterday I met Phyllis at the Met. We started at the Picasso show, which I thoroughly enjoyed, then went to the American Woman, a Costume Institute spectacular. The thrust of the show was to equate women's independence with fashion–obvious nonsense, but a good show. Ended the day with dinner with Julia, at a nearby Indian place.

Another Second Ave. subway pic. I've never seen a machine like this.

100 Books Before I Die

Ruthe Karlin

Category Archives: Health