A Visit From "The Kids" Last Week

Dom's daughter Christine and his stepson Michael flew in last Tuesday for 4 nights.  They were a great help.

On Wednesday, Michael went up into the attic to retrieve some things.  He also threw away our old microwave and lifted up our new one.

Meanwhile, Christine and I picked up a huge pizza in Picayune and stopped for a couple of cold beers at Fatty's.

Thursday the kids and I took Dom's truck and went to the dump.  The 3 of us had lunch at Fatty's. 

When we got home, Michael bush-hogged our driveway.

We were going to return a lot of beer cans on Friday, but Tropical Storm Olga hit us.  Serious wind and rain on Friday and Saturday.

So, we stayed home on Friday.  The kids left Saturday morning after removing some fallen trees in our driveway.

NOLA Airport's power was knocked out for much of the day.  After a change in flights the kids finally got home.

It was a good productive and pleasant visit!  (And our Sexy Sadie was in heaven the entire time that they were here!)

New Action With Dom- Blood Transfusions and a Hospital Stay

Hey gang!

It's been pretty rough around here. 

On Wed. the 29th, he needed 2 units of blood in a transfusion.  His body has quit producing blood.  Either the myeloma cells or something else going on in his bone marrow.  To be determined.

After a few days, he felt like a new man.

THEN...This past week, he couldn't get out of bed on Wed. or Thursday.  Weak.  Nauseous.  Diarrhea kicked in Friday morning.

His Oncologist had me take him to the ER at Slidell Memorial Hospital on Friday.

They admitted him that afternoon.  He needed yet ANOTHER unit of blood.  He needed Potassium and Electrolytes.

I came in on Sat. morning to find out that they were moving him to the Cardiac Step-Down unit.  They found an enzyme in his blood that could affect the heart.
They wanted to keep an eye on him.

Now he's in ISOLATION in the Cardiac Unit.  Gowns, gloves and masks worn by everybody.

He's got quite the team of specialists.  I met a Kidney Specialist this morning.  He explained that Creatine should be a 1.  Dom is a 2.5   Dialysis is needed at 5.  He ordered an ultrasound of his kidneys and bladder.

Then an Infectious Diseases doctor came in.  She said that he has some type of bacteria in his blood.  She's THINKING E Coli.  They're also testing him for C-Diff.  Bacterial infection in his colon.  Pretty creepy stuff. 

https://www.medicinenet.com/is_c_diff_clostridium_difficile_contagious/article.htm

He's got a Neurologist on the team.  Trying to deal with his Neuropathy.

Also a doctor of Internal Medicine.  She ordered Occupational and Physical Therapy.  "Use it or lose it, Mr. Manzo".  I told the PT to work him hard!

Sooo...  our daughter flew in this afternoon.  When she showed up at the hospital, I left.  She'll be a great help!  I'm tickled that she's here.

I was sobbing yesterday.  He was almost incoherent.  No tears today, just smiles.  I like the new team of doctors!  I'm impressed with this hospital, too!

They need to keep an eye on a few things, but he was very engaging today!

A Quick Four-Night Visit to PCB

Dealing with Dom's health had kept me from visiting the condo.  It had been over a year.

As his health has improved and he's getting around with his Rollator, Christine and I decided to bust a move to the beach.

The weather and water were both PRISTINE!

Front Beach Road is a mess.  They've torn everything up.  Surprisingly, traffic is moving, though.  This top picture is a rendering of what's planned.  This shows what it's going to look like at our condo when they finish.

Christine and I had our share of fun.  Thanks to generous family and friends who we trust with the condo, we ate out every night using gift cards-  Dee's Hangout, Carraba's, Saltwater Grill and the Firefly.  OINK OINK.

And, of course, happy hour every afternoon at the LIQ across the street.  One afternoon we went to a new brewery across the street for a couple of pints of craft beer with dear pal, Jimmy.  NIVOL BREWERY.  Nice place!  http://www.nivolbrewery.com/

We spent each day on the beach.  Heavenly!

Each night, Christine and I plugged in the "Disco Ball" and rocked out!  Girls just wanna have fun!

Christine's Birthday at the Abita Brew Pub

We had a fun day yesterday.  We loaded up into Christine's rental car and went to the Abita Brew Pub for a late lunch.  https://www.abitabrewpub.com/

I hadn't been there for probably a good 20 years.  It was pretty good!

For the THIRD time this week, Dom walked into the restaurant using a walker.  I'm SO PROUD of him!

We had a couple of beers.  I got a mushroom/swiss/bacon burger, Dom got a hot muffaleta.  Both were very tasty.

The birthday girl got the pecan/honey crusted catfish.  OMG!  DELICIOUS!  Huge chunk of catfish loaded with pecans.  I wasn't crazy about the sides...would have preferred fries, but that's me.  😊

Our server seemed friendly enough, but not very attentive.  😢

But, it was a pleasant afternoon, nice drive and a beautiful day.  (We had gotten 5" of snow on Friday!)

We're back to physical therapy tomorrow, then Christine is spending the night in Slidell.  Has an ungodly early flight home on Tuesday morning.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Woke up to this today: 

Local schools were closed, Dom's Physical Therapy was canceled, yet Christine braved the roads to spend the night in Slidell with a girlfriend.

It's Been a Great Week!

We're SO enjoying Christine's visit!

It's been non-stop fun.

On Wednesday, Christine and I had a couple of beers at Wendy and Bubby's house while Dom was in PT.  It was good to visit with them!

Yesterday, the 3 of us went to The Italian Grill in Picayune.  Once again, my Dominic walked into the restaurant.  😃

He had Veal Parmesan with pasta, while we girls indulged in an 18" Supreme pizza.  YUMMY!

A big FIRST today!!!!!

With the OK of our physical therapist, Dom walked into a restaurant today!  (using a walker).

What a boost for his confidence!

We went to the Picayune location of one of our favorites-  FATTY'S.  https://www.fattysseafoodrestaurant.com/

Great food, and a wonderful server, Mia!

We started with a huge order of Abita Beer battered onion rings.

Christine had corn/crab bisque and a small salad.  I had my usual Club sandwich.  Dom ordered the "FATTY MELT".  OMG!  Ham, roast beef & turkey sautéed with onions, mushrooms & jalapeños smothered with American and swiss cheese.  Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy!  (That's what I'm getting next time...with a steak knife!)

So.... today was a real milestone in his progression!