On Friday, we had to head to San Antonio for Amanda’s Botox migraine treatment. Amanda needed to work for a bit first. I told her I was sleeping in and to wake me when she was ready. So, I took her, came back, and got ready myself. I needed to grab the mail; I had some pants come in I’d ordered when the cleaners lost mine a couple of weeks ago. I also needed to run a few other errands.
Our drive to SA was uneventful; I did force Amanda to use the much cleaner Starbucks for a potty break even though we’d got morning coffee at another location! I told her I’d just throw my cup away there to look legit! When the neurologist came in, Amanda explained what had been happening. After the word rejection, the neuro settled in for the story. She asked if Amanda was on steroids; she noticed her fluid retention and puffiness. Before the injections, almost 40 of them, she double-cleaned Amanda with alcohol as a precaution, saying it might be irritated. She also always wears a mask as a precaution on routine visits.
After the visit, we needed to run by a couple of stores before we left. We ended up at Bath and Body Works to refill our small sanitizers; we have a collection of smallholders, Amanda has a few, and I even have a dog-shaped one on Tank’s leash. Every time I visit that store, I think of my first time there. We had a lady with a flamboyant personality and a heavy smell of homemade perfume who worked for us at our restaurant. It was our first year dating, so I asked her to go with me to pick out gifts for Amanda’s birthday. We ended up at Bath and Body looking at lotions and whatnot. When I picked a scent, she told me to taste the lotion; I looked at her, puzzled. She said well, you’re going to taste it later, so make sure you like it! I did taste that lotion, but I’ll let you wonder whether it was then or later!
We grabbed lunch at Torchy’s Tacos, one of our favorites. It wasn’t busy the last time we were there in the early afternoon, so we decided to go in and eat if it was light. The lady taking our order commented on my wedding band; I told her where I had it made, mentioning I had the jeweler custom-make Amanda’s engagement ring, too. She wanted to see Amanda’s, but she was in the bathroom. When Amanda emerged from the bathroom, the lady asked if she felt okay. I told her not really, and she said she’d leave her alone. Sprouts was nearby, so I ran in to grab a few groceries before we hit the road.
Saturday, we still had to make a run to Del Rio. We’ve been racking the miles up on the Yukon, so we were up for an oil change. We also needed to get a car washed even though we’d ran it through a wash the day before, and it was still filthy. All the salt brine sprayed before the snowstorm mixed with the rain made for a white mess all over the Yukon. We also needed to grab some more pants for Amanda, she was trying to find something that fit well. She had a friend who was on the hunt for some. She also grabbed a large alligator toy I’d almost got Tank the other day. He was more than excited to get it when we got home!
After we returned, Amanda needed to get a few things done at work, so I dropped her off at the church and headed to take care of a few things. After I got Amanda settled at home, I got together with some friends to do man things! We dug out a diamond in the rough, an old wrecker that Amanda rode in with her grandpa and father as a child. My dad had 13 similar trucks, so it had us both reminiscing. I have plans to fix it up, but we had to remove some trees that were almost part of the truck to get a good look. We planned and BS’d more than we worked on anything, but it was good just to get out with friends and think of anything but hospital stuff.
Sunday, we didn’t leave the house. I slept in longer than Amanda; she thought I was awake, and I woke to a text from her. She wanted me to proof an email to the PA we like, requesting to see Dr. Nair, our cardiologist. She had some pictures of her legs with bad pitting edema. That is where you push a finger into your shine and see how quickly the tissue and skin will rebound. The longer it takes to rebound, the worse the fluid retention and Amanda’s takes forever. Her legs are also so tight it hurts, and the top of her foot is numb.
This morning, the packing in Amanda’s nose came out, too. As she was wetting it with saline, as the ENT recommended, it just came sliding out. She said it was nasty and gross; I wish I had seen it! In the afternoon, Amanda worked on the Christmas tree, which is now a heart tree. She got done, and with small baby claps like a cheerleader, said she was as happy with it!
One of our deacons called Amanda this morning and asked if they could come by to anoint and pray for her this afternoon. They were going by our pastor first, who lives across the street. I was outside getting Tank’s car bed ready for the trip tomorrow. I saw a large group outside of his house; my first thought was I would have to fend off the group from coming into the house, but Amanda had already mentioned only a few could come in. I let a couple in only after I made sure they sanitized and grabbed a mask, both of which we had outside. They came in, and anointed Amanda with oil, and prayed over her while the group stayed outside and prayed. We have a fantastic church family.
We leave in the morning for Houston. Not too early, but early enough to miss Houston rush hour traffic. I packed Tank’s bag, and he knew what the plan was then and was so happy to know he was going with us! His new alligator was in tow in Lambchop’s place. We are only booked for two nights as the last couple of trips, both of which we extended. It is set where admissions will call us when they are ready so we can wait in the hotel. I’m not holding my breath, though. Amanda did well last time with the steroids added to the premeds. Hopefully, we will only need to stay two nights, Amanda with Tank and I both nights.