Now
that 2018 is over and gone, I will try to catch you up on what has
been going on with me. I am sure you noticed my rather long hiatus
from the blog. I checked in and made corrections and a few
improvements but haven't posted since the summer of 2017. I have been
dealing with some health issues and other problems and general
busyness. My eye troubles began In August of 2017. I moved from my
apartment to a house in October. By February of 2018 I was
hemorrhaging in my left eye. This left me essentially blind in what
was previously my dominant eye. I began having problems with mu feet
also.
Both
these medical issues were due to diabetes. I have been getting
injections in my eyes every month since to prevent more bleeding. My
eye is improving and the outlook is good. I had to learn how to do a
great many things differently because of my limited vision. Even so I
managed to continue teaching and even painted some last year. I had
to move two of my classes to another location because one of the
Hobby Lobby stores was remodeling. I decided to keep the new location
in my schedule after we were able to go back in November.
My
right big toe became infected in the summer of 2018. A similar
problem on my other foot had improved but not yet healed. At the same
time I had a sinus infection I couldn't seem to get rid of. Then my
house mate moved to Alaska. I had not lived alone in nearly 20
years. What an adjustment.
I
was so tired all the time from the infections I would come home and
fall asleep in my chair nearly every day. In December my foot was
getting worse which meant another trip to the emergency room. I was
admitted to the hospital on December 23rd and spent 11
days there. They immediately put me on insulin and IV antibiotics. My
toe was amputated right after Christmas. That was a breeze. I had
little pain but was weakened by the worst respiratory infection I
have ever had. I literally fought for every breath. I won't go into
details about my hospital stay but it was awful and I am so grateful
it is over. My blood sugar is under control and I am back at class. I
still get tired but I am getting better every day. I can breathe and
walk. Life is good.
One
of my goals this year is to post to the web site more often. That
should be easy since I did not post at all last year. Here's to the
end of a long dry spell. I will let you know some of the things my
students have been up to soon. We have some great news to share.
