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Wednesday February 24 2016 WHAT WE DO TOGETHER
Wednesday February 24 2016 WHAT WE DO TOGETHER
Earlier today my husband and I were doing our morning routine and we found ourselves leaning our backsides on the bathroom counter, facing away from the mirror, both holding hot washcloth compresses to our eyes. He kiddingly chided me in a sing-song cadence, “Things we do together”. And we laughed hilariously because that is something we do together. We do a lot of things together and bathing our eyes in hot compresses, both morning and night, is one of those things. How is that for letting you see into the privacy of our morning routine. Well, I bring it up for a good reason.
The first reason I have, is that when he said it, right away I thought, “Hey, that would make a great blog.” So much for blog topics! I only need 365 topics a year so this is just one to help make up that quota. The second reason is, I thought it might be information that needs to be passed on.
A lot of people, both old and young, suffer from a condition of dry eyes or excessively oily eyes. There are also other eye conditions that seem to crop up now or then, but I am referring particularly to a condition of a chronic, dry eye situation that often plagues a person as they age. Different illnesses or autoimmune conditions can also contribute to this malady.
I have been inconvenience by this condition for many years. One thing that exacerbates it for me is a chronic (long term) condition called Sjogrens Syndrome. The syndrome is just one reason dry eyes can happen, but, it happens more so because of aging. For whatever reason, dry eyes are a nuisance. Unless you suffer from it you may not understand. One of the causes for dry eyes, is that the glands that secret the moisture our eyes need to function properly, become clogged and sluggish. These glands are found on the little strip between the lashes and the lid’s contact with the eyeball. Pull down your lower lid and you can see the little tiny pin-like indentations on that little strip of eye. Several years ago I was instructed to take a hot folded washcloth and cover my eyes from anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes or more, once in the morning and and once at night. That is usually enough to heat up the oils in the glands and help them excrete what is needed for the next 12 hours or so. I have been faithful to that practice from the first night I did and discovered what a great difference it made in my eyes. Up until that point I was putting drops in my eyes many times a day. I have not used eye drops since I began the heat therapy.
Personally I also have another condition that causes dry eyes but I have a different therapy I must do for that. I had a surgical procedure several years to remove something in my forehead, and the best solution was to go through my eyelids rather than have my face peeled down from my hairline. Since the surgery my eyes will not close completely when I am relaxed in sleep. That too is dangerous to the sensitive moisture balance in the eyes. So, for that I must use a salve each night on each eye ball and then cover my eyes when I sleep. It’s a nuisance but well worth the health of my eyes.
Now, back to “our togetherness”. Over the past few months Dave has been suffering with an eye condition. His eyes were itchy, drippy, red, and swollen looking. When he had his yearly eye exam recently he came home with the news that he would be joining in the ritual of eye soaks morning and evening. So there we are, chatting and having a lively morning conversation when he comes out with his statement “Things we do together”. And yes, now we have one more thing to do together. And by the way, in just a few days his eyes looked better, the redness left, and I haven’t noticed him rubbing his eyes because they itch. The treatment really works! I do not know if he is still using the eye drops.
I tell you the above because I want to educate people. I want others to be aware of situations that many doctors don’t even think to discuss. Be certain to bring up every little body grievance you have with your physician when you go in for your yearly physical. You must learn to become your own best advocate. Ask for literature, ask to be referred to a specialist for a further look at your condition if your physician does not have answers as to what is going on. And most of all, do some investigating on your own, read some books, read articles, search the internet, talk to other people, AND READ MY BLOG! As I experience more of the aging process I intend to go public with what is going on just so I can educate and bring out in the open what might be expected as one ages. I have spoken with people who are so embarrassed to speak about the aging process and the changes that happen to and in their bodies. Because of people not wanting to admit to others that they too are aging, so much gets swept under the carpet, and older people sometimes feel as if it is only happening to them.
Aging happens to those who are fortunate enough to live a long life. I love my gift of life and hope that I can live as long as I can take care of myself. I am doing all I can to learn how to take care of myself, both mentally and physically. Never give up learning. Keep your mind active. Make certain you have a social life, stay connected to your family, keep your heart connected to God, and be willing to share the wisdom of living your long years with others who are still forging their own path. Today is the offering of my wisdom about dry eyes. Do I know everything? ABSOLUTELY NOT! And all dry eyes may not be related to what I am discussing in this blog. My recommendation for you, if you suffer from dry, itchy eyes, call your GP or eye doctor, and make an appointment to discuss what I have told you here. Below is an excerpt from a web address that identified the condition, the symptoms, and what the usual course of therapy is. Read it, and then find out first hand for yourself if this pertains to you.
The following is a quote from the enclosed URL address:
http://www.aapos.org/terms/conditions/141Meibomian Gland “Dysfunction and Treatment
What are Meibomian (Oil) Glands?
Meibomian glands are glands that are arranged vertically within the eyelid near the lashes. The force of an eyelid blink causes oil to be excreted onto the posterior lid margin. The oil is the “staying power” of the tears that helps prevent rapid tear evaporation. In a patient with Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), vision is affected because there is too much or too little oil in the tear film.
What is Meibomian Gland Dysfunction?
MGD, also termed posterior blepharitis, is the most common form of lid margin disease. In the early stages, patients are often asymptomatic, but if left unmanaged, MGD can cause or exacerbate dry eye symptoms and eyelid inflammation. The oil glands become blocked with thickened secretions. Chronically clogged glands eventually become unable to secrete oil which results in permanent changes in the tear film and dry eyes. Symptoms include:
Dryness
Burning
Itching
Stickiness
Watering
Light Sensitivity
Red Eyes
Foreign Body Sensation
Chalazion/Styes
Intermittent Blurry Vision
What is the Treatment?
1) WARM COMPRESSES
Heating the lids will increase oil production and melt the oil that has solidified in the glands. Use a warm washcloth to apply heat on the eyelids for two minutes. This warms the oil, allowing it to flow more freely, and helps soften lash debris.
2) MASSAGE
Apply light pressure with your index finger or a Q-tip to the lid margin near the lash line. Roll the finger upward on the lower lid while looking up, then roll the finger downward on the upper lid while looking down. Excessive manipulation of the lids can cause additional irritation, so lid massage and scrubs should be performed only twice a day during the acute stage, and once daily during maintenance.”
In reference to the above “once daily during maintenance”, I just want you to know that both Dave’s doctor and my doctor told each of us to do it twice a day as ongoing therapy. SEEK YOUR DOCTORS DIRECTIVES!
A MELODY IN MY HEART
By Kathleen Martens
February 24, 2016
Age is just a matter of course
That happens every day.
Each day when I view the mirror
I fail to see yesterday’s decay.
Every day I just look the same
But how is it when I look back,
That that smooth unblemished skin
I now seem to lack?
Exactly when does youth leave?
When every day is just twenty four hours?
I’m just happy I don’t wilt
As quickly as does a flower.
And what about these aches and pains
That just seem to come and go?
What’s today’s flavor of pain
Is something I want to know?
I am always so surprised
Each day that I find,
That something else doesn’t work
And it seems one of a kind.
Today it could be the big toe,
Tomorrow an ankle or knee.
And some days my back goes out
Yet there’s days I’m flying free.
So who knows what this day will bring
At times there’s just something wrong.
But I find true joy in each hour,
For in my heart I carry a song.
A melody about love and life,
With praise to God on my tongue.
And no pain will dampen my spirit
When in my heart my song is sung.
Have a great day. Now I am off to work. Still putting the final touches on my now, decluttered, office. YEAH!!!!! Two big file drawers left to sift through! Everything I throw away is making me feel lighter. Try it. You might like it!
Thursday February 18 2016 “THE GIFT OF YEARS”
Thursday February 18 2016 “THE GIFT OF YEARS”
Today was my 39th birthday (again)! And oh what a wonderful day it was! Dave and I were up and out by 6:30 a.m. so we could fit everything into the day that we (or maybe I should say I) wanted to do. He told me if I drove I could go and do whatever I wanted to and he promised not to complain or become impatient! He was good to his word. First of all he HARDLY ever complains, and it is unusual for him to become impatient unless we have a time deadline. And, of all things, he feels a great need to be on time. Time seems not to exist for me. I get so caught up in whatever I am doing and I forget that the clock just keeps on ticking. I am actually trying to improve that area of my life.
But today…well, what can I say? It was absolutely wonderful because I really did not have to pay attention to time. That in itself was probably the best gift I could ever receive. Here is a SHORT rundown of our day.
At the gym from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. (half hour hydro massage included)
Home again to change.
Stopped by the bank for Aldi cash (they don’t take checks or credit cards)
Off to Mt. Horeb for a second breakfast of chili. But they didn’t have chili so I had Borscht soup and Dave had the chicken noodle soup.
Off to Schubert’s to share the most delicious vanilla milkshake.
While at Schubert’s the proprietor offered us apiece of homemade apple pie. (And we ate it.)
Met five delightful ladies, all wearing beautiful bright, red hats. That is, until I left. Then only four of the ladies were wearing beautiful, bright red hats. One hat walked out on top of my head! I couldn’t believe it. When I asked if I could take their photo they all agreed. I commented that the hats looked so beautiful and I wished I had a red hat. A lady named Ellen stood up, took her hat off her head and put it on mine and said, “Now you do have your own red hat”. I was embarrassed that I said that because I did not mean for someone to give me their hat. It is so beautiful and the multicolored brim matched my multicolored neck scarf perfectly. Ellen wouldn’t take the hat back. I walked out of the restaurant strutting like a peacock.
All of the ladies from the Red Hat Society (who call themselves “LAUGH-A-LOT LADIES” appeared to be about my age or older. I just wanted to sit down and join them. They were a colorful group, and I only wished I could have been a part of their crowd. I did have a chance to ask each one for a quick, one sentence message of wisdom, to pass on to others who are approaching aging. Here are their comments:
Ellen: “LAUGH A LOT.”
Judy: “ENJOY EACH DAY AS IT COMES.”
Doris: “DON’T STOP. KEEP GOING.”
Marion (aka: Mary): “LOVE YOUR FAMILY BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLY IMPORTANT.”
Helen: “EACH DAY IS A GIFT. THE GIFT OF YEARS!” Helen is the oldest of the group at 91.
Back to our itinerary. We left the restaurant and went to the business next door which is
the Bargain Nook. It is a resale shop with some new items. Dave found a few new shirts and I purchased a photo taken in 1957 which I plan to use for a blog topic soon. I also purchased a book, and a couple of sweater blouses. When you shop at the Bargain Nook on your birthday everything is half price up to $50.00. It is a small store and I didn’t find much for me. But it was fun.
We left Mt. Horeb and drove about 15 miles back toward Madison and stopped in the town of Verona. There we browsed through St. Vincent De Paul’s resale shop. Well, I browsed, Dave sat on a soft chair and played with his phone. Albert, my longtime friend, called me from California, and it seemed we talked forever as I walked around the store. I finally had to go because, I literally “had to go”! A little while later when we were ready to pay for our items I realized I didn’t have my credit card. I had used it last at the Bargain Nook, about 15 miles away. By this time we were both hungry for real food and planned to go into Madison to eat at one of our favorite places called R.P. Adler’s. It was almost 4:00 p.m. and we both needed to eat. Our second breakfast at 11:00 a.m. and the milkshake, apple pie, and cheese, had kept our appetites comfortably satisfied up to that point. R.P. Adler’s quits serving lunch at 4:00 p.m.. Now it was 3:45 p.m. and we had to go back to Mt. Horeb to pick up my credit card. A phone call to the Bargain Nook confirmed that the lady had forgotten to give it back to me. SHAME ON ME FOR NOT NOTICING. I’ll just blame it on my age for not being more attuned.
Dave called the restaurant and asked if we came a little after 4:00 would we still be able to order from the lunch menu. We like the prices on the luncheon menu best and I knew exactly what I wanted. We had an alternative plan but we had both hoped to go R.P. Adler’s. The person who answered the phone said it was okay to be late. So that is what we did. We arrived about 4:30 p.m. The lunch was great! We were getting ready to leave when a waitress walks around the corner with a piece of caramel covered cheese cake with a lighted candle in it! What a surprise! I had told them earlier it was my birthday so I assumed this was something they do for the birthday person. Wrong! When we were at Schubert’s earlier, our daughter called and we mentioned that we were going to eat at R.P. Adler’s for lunch. She called ahead, paid for our meal, bought the desert and had it delivered to our table, and also gave me a generous gift certificate to eat there another time or two.
What I didn’t know was that she had called Dave while I was browsing at St. Vincent’s talking to Albert, and they were both in cahoots with the plan. I was totally oblivious. Dave was so cool about everything, especially after he realized we might need to change restaurants because it was so late. I already had an alternate plan but he never acted ruffled in the least. He just let the drama play out, picked up the credit card, I drove back to R.P. Adler’s, and there we were. Pigeon, delivered just as planned. And I was still clueless. I guess I am probably clueless about a lot of things, but we won’t go there. After all! This is my birthday!
Our food was delicious as usual. Afterward we went to Bed Bath and Beyond and I picked up a new loaf pan I needed. They had just the perfect pan. Then, we drove out to Costco to buy some vacation jeans for Dave. Fortunately they still had the kind he likes in his size. And our day was over. We ran out of time. We (I) almost accomplished everything we set out to accomplish. We didn’t make it to Barnes and Noble, nor to the library. Those are two of my favorite places to spend my birthday or any other day. I love being surrounded by books! I especially enjoy the library because I feel as if I own them all!
Now it is past my bedtime. My birthday is over for another year. I just wish I could slow the year down. It seems each year passes faster and faster. Each year the piece of life’s pie gets smaller and smaller. And the years go quicker.
LIVE IT LIKE A QUEEN
By Kathleen Martens
February 18, 2016
Another birthday come and gone.
A day to celebrate birth.
A day to enjoy and to cherish,
When remembering what life is worth.
A day to commemorate
The time and date,
When your clock began
Ticking your fate.
And oh how fast
Time is measured,
With joy and sorrow,
And golden treasures.
And the wisdom given me,
To all should be sought.
Remember to be filled with joy
And always “LAUGH A LOT”.
We are never promised tomorrow.
Life is shorter for some.
So be sure to remember
To “ENJOY EACH DAY AS IT COMES”.
“LOVE YOUR FAMILY JUST BECAUSE
THEY ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU”.
“EACH DAY IS A GIFT”
AS “THE GIFT OF YEARS IS TOO”.
And whatever you do,
Just make sure you “DON’T STOP”.
“KEEP GOING”, whatever it takes,
You’ll always come out on top.
So birthdays come and birthdays go,
Life is lived in between.
But on that very special day,
Live it like a queen!
So now you know what last Sunday’s party was to be about. It was what I call my surprise birthday party. Even though the snowfall cancelled the event last Sunday, we are going to try again this Saturday! Hopefully with 50 degree weather forecast this Saturday we won’t get snowed out!
It is late so I sign off.
Good night and God bless you!
Visions of Poetry 