What's outside of your picture window today?

@loribmt, and all...Yep, my own special reaction to the Reclast IV infusion on Tuesday. I was so pleased to finally address osteoporosis and bone issues that first developed when I was only 35, in the dark ages of medicine, there was no doctor in this area who knew how to treat it. I was told I'd be in a full body brace in 5 years, 7-10 years in a wheelchair. I flipped, fired the neurologist, told him NO, found a new neurologist in town, and began taking oyster shell calcium and exercise.

My ferritin and iron profile levels were crazy for several months, so my PCP referred me to Mayo Endo and Hematology to find answers and treatment. I wanted another iron infusion but we took a different direction.

The endocrinologist ordered a full-body nuclear scan and bloodwork, conferred with colleagues, and suggested Reclast to hopefully help relieve the increasing bone/muscle pain, slow the deterioration of multiple herniated discs and other issues, and prevent fractures with future falls that may lead to my demise. I fell several years ago, fractured the T12 vertebrae, and had a cementing procedure that gave me 15 years without pain able to function.

Ck the August Mayo Newsletter, the inside article, about my procedure. I'm hoping sharing this will relieve some concerns folks have about having this done. It was miraculous for me. The reporter was delightful, added an 's' to my last name, but was on target and told the story well. I'm honored and it was fun!

The Reclast was Tuesday afternoon. I enjoyed walking to the next building, taking pictures for you all, visiting the gift shop, and getting a couple of days' deli food before heading home to bed by 6. I was tired and getting achy. By 8, I was in full-body serious pain from the infusion.

Thinking it through, while in growing pain, I realized I wasn't having an allergic reaction...no tongue/mouth/throat swelling, and breathing ok on bi-pap and oxygen which made a huge difference, every bone and muscle was in severe pain, cramping, in spasms and tremors. I called Mayo at 3:30 a.m. to be sure I was correct. The on-call doc was great and assured me I was having a severe reaction that should last about 8-9 hours. She urge hydration-drank 5/16 oz bottles of filtered water I thankfully keep in an extra bedroom upstairs with other drinks and food. That saved me as I could barely turn over or walk at all during this. After 2 sleepless nights, 3 painful days, and slow improvement, I'm ok now, pleased I had the infusion, and hoping to see bone and pain improvement. I look forward to the next 2 annual infusions extending my time and quality of life.

The hematologist put me on a different iron supplement that is GI/digestion-friendly and has
brought into more normal ranges my iron profile numbers. I'm thrilled! This was a serious issue that this wise doctor addressed with me and we are resolving the problems together.
Once again, Mayo makes life better, safer and so it goes...

Glad you enjoyed the pictures. It's a lovely atrium, yes, the grand piano is one of several that bring us all such pleasure, along with the architecture, the artwork, the lovely grounds, and the help given.

Hope you are well, Lori, and enjoying your wonderful lake home. Blessings, Elizabeth

This is literally outside my front window but I can't take the credit. My 12yo grand nephew is my garden helper this summer. This garden has been neglected for about 10 years. Peter dug out the old plants and set them aside for moving last week, dug and divided some overgrown hostas out back and added dump wagons full of compost. Today he lifted all the rocks sunken into the dirt, arranged the plants and rocks as you see them with very little coaching, and planted everything. His total work time so far about 8 hours! Thursday he and Jerry will build a small log wall behind this bed and remove the old lights and wires. He's looking forward to using the little saw and big driill. I am in awe of this young man! He is careful, never steps on plants, and is a joy to hang out with. Oh and he bakes all the cakes for his extended family! His parents and older brothers are equally cool.
Next week he'll be on a trip and the following week we start another renovation.
My grandsons were eager to work with us today too.
Sue

@sueinmn and all...What a precious boy you found! I love 12-year-old sons and grandsons, it's a great age, not so much into rebellion or whatever yet, and still enjoy family. Sue, you enjoy your family so much. I love to hear about your and their antics. I love hostas but surprised you transplanted them when blooming. I thought I should wait until the fall or early spring. I bet anything you plant no matter the time does well with your compost and the years of knowledge you have. And, you're sharing your knowledge with your family, children who will follow in your steps. Love it! He did a great job and a lot of work. Be sure to give him an extra scoop of ice cream...
Good to hear from you.
Blessings, Elizabeth

Great bird photos!!! Our former creek, now marsh, is so filled with silt that our resident heron can't live in our little valley any more...hardly any frogs due to all the silt in the marsh. An egret used to fly in, as though he/she was considering making this home, but the heron engaged the egret in great swooping aerial battles, often right outside my office window. I really miss the froggy chorus every evening!
Thursday, one of the deer, smelling sunflower seeds in a feeder affixed to the big glass in our front door to the deck, clomped up the steps onto the deck. She wasn't able to reach the hanging fuchsia basket, but spent some time peering right in the door and checking all the seed hulls on the mat. She couldn't reach the sunflower seed feeder affixed to the top of the glass. This is the first time one of the deer has come up onto the deck, so it was a real surprise. Unfortunately, it was early without much light, and impossible to use a flash because it would flare on the glass door. I've attached two photos of the doe on the deck and one of one of the does with twin fawns.

@californiazebra, @johnbishop, @loribmt, @gingerw, and all...oh, my goodness. These are magnificent shots of magnificent creatures...thank you so much for sharing your special neighbors. You are blessed!
I'm sending you pictures outside the windows at Mayo Florida, Jacksonville. The Mayo Building recently was renovated and a wonderful new atrium opening to some cultured nature outside a huge wall of windows. I was taking a stroll with my hot pink walker after a Reclast IV Infusion last Tuesday. I enjoyed the walk to the gift shop a building away, and thought you, my friends.
So, I'm sharing that days view I enjoyed prior to being flat down for 3 days in pain, groaning and spasms in muscles and bones, entire body. So glad I enjoyed this before my reaction began!
Blessings to all...Elizabeth

Both of these beautiful predators were in the same area in my neighborhood. I only had my iPhone when the coyote was walking toward me. Too bad I didn't have my good camera, but I found him in the same area the next night along with the Coopers Hawk and did have my good camera with me. Right when I was taking pix, I heard an elderly lady yelling for her tiny dog to get back in the house. Luckily, I was able to corral it back in before it became dinner for one of these two predators.

I don't know if his comment belongs here, but anyway here goes. My oldest son lives in Asia and because of the pandemic was not able to attend his father's funeral. He is here now on a quick visit. Yesterday we went to the cemetery. I looked at my husband's plaque and quickly went back to the car leaving my son alone to do his grieving. When I got in the car I more or less fell apart. Is this what I get for 59 years of marriage? A plaque? I was beyond crying. I screamed and screamed and screamed. I really felt like my heart was in pain and I wondered how I could be in so much pain and not have a heart attack. Of course eventually all stopped. But I don't know if I can ever go back there again.