GCS & BA with Dr. Ley at Meltzer clinic

[Faith]

let me see .. topic ketchup .. ketchup is for, umm, .... nothing. Weelll, I have been known to use it (lightly) on my veggie-burgers along with some mustard. I don't eat regular hamburgers any more and hamburgers didn't get ketchup on them (they'd get mayonnaise, of course)

[Sarah_P]

Now Sarah, don't gang up on me. It's not just for breakfast anymore. Ok, I'll go back to calling it a savory tomato-based relish-condiment. [emoji849]

- Stephanie

Or Catsup. Makes it sound more exotic. 

[steph2.0]

Kendra, I am so excited for you! Take it easy, and when you feel up to it, please let us know how things are going. I'll be thinking of you all day on Thursday, and watching closely for updates.

Told you I'd be watching closely. [emoji56]


- Stephanie

[Saha]

Tomatoes are a fruit, ketchup is a smoothy!

[steph2.0]

Or Catsup. Makes it sound more exotic. 

I dunno. Cassie and other Perfectly Sane Cat Ladies might take offense. Have to clarify that cat isn't really an ingredient.

A scene jumped into my strange mind of two cats passing each other on the street, bumping fists and going, "CatsUUUUPP?"


- Stephanie

[steph2.0]

Tomatoes are a fruit, ketchup is a smoothy!

Mmmmm. Tomato smoothy. 🤤

You may all disrespect the Big K all you like, but it lets you experience both sweet and umami in one condiment. And it was on the list of foods Mark Twain craved the most in A Tramp Abroad.

I know why everyone's hating on it. It's ordinary. And every here is extraordinary.


- Stephanie

[AnneK]

Tomatoes are a fruit, ketchup is a smoothy!

I thought ketchup was a food group.   

[Laurie]

Oh by the way I wonder how (St)ep.. uh Cas.., Ti.. Den.. Jam.. Mari.. oh heck, I wonder how she is doing... It's time to stop all the condimenting on ketchup and get back to what's her name..... oh yeah Kendra.

Hugs,
  Laurie

[SassyCassie]

I dunno. Cassie and other Perfectly Sane Cat Ladies might take offense. Have to clarify that cat isn't really an ingredient.

A scene jumped into my strange mind of two cats passing each other on the street, bumping fists and going, "CatsUUUUPP?"

Try as I might, I have never been able to get a cat to sup on that stuff.

Oh, and for the record, you three may have had ketchup in your little cups but mine had super-mild sauce in it, despite the fact that I asked for hot sauce. (Hey, I've lived in the South for 37 years!)

[SassyCassie]

Oh by the way I wonder how (St)ep.. uh Cas.., Ti.. Den.. Jam.. Mari.. oh heck, I wonder how she is doing... It's time to stop all the condimenting on ketchup and get back to what's her name..... oh yeah Kendra.

Yes, and speaking of the lovely Miss Kendra, she and I shared a moment on the bridge while we were out walking after breakfast that morning. In honor of her convalescence, I shared something with her - a bit of a spoiler of my story, which held significance to this period in her life. It was one of those milestones many of us have to face, even though we all take different paths to get there.

That's all I'll say on the matter. The rest of you fine folks will just have to wait for that chapter in the story. That is, unless Steph and I happen to pull another surprise hospital visit in the near future!

[HappyMoni]

I thought it was time to ketchup on this thread as I thought I might be beHeinz on it. I'll wait another couple of days and Hunts it up again, my precious. Now don't be Gollumble.

Steak with ketchup yummy. A1 blows.

Oh yeah, I am happy to see you up and about Kendra, Laurie didn't even wait til I was out of my hospital bed before she attacked me and put me in the hospital. So happy for you. With all the lovely crazies who have been around you, I hope it doesn't hurt when you laugh. lol
Moni

[Sarah_P]

Steak with ketchup yummy. A1 blows.

If the steak is made right it doesn't need any sauce!
Except BBQ sauce. EVERYTHING is better with a little Sweet Baby Ray's. Well, maybe not ice cream. Ice cream is really hard to cook on a grill.

Oh yeah.... how's Kendra doing?

[Colleen_definitely]

Kendra, while you're in AZ are you at least going to grab some decent Mexican food?

Actually when are you headed home?  I'll be in Phoenix next Thursday.

[Kendra]

Told you I'd be watching closely. [emoji56]

- Stephanie

Yeah you sure were!  First time I walked out of my room, there you are along with Cassie and Tia Anne.  Since I don't remember the surgery at all, now I gotta wonder.

Post-Op Day 7.  Yesterday and today went great with one exception - I tried making the switch from industrial-grade pain meds to ibuprofen.  By yesterday afternoon I was one hurtin' unit (oh wait, I don't have one of those).  The pain wasn't specific, not from the surgical area - hit everywhere to the point I couldn't focus or think clearly.  I mistakenly assumed that was caused by some sort of withdrawal from stopping the stronger meds.  I hadn't improved by this morning so I talked to one of the nurses and a doctor, they said based on my description to go back on the stronger stuff I'd been taking all week.  Took awhile to kick in and now I feel fine. 

So with my day of pain from an attempted switch to ibuprofen, how can I call that great?  Because the surgical results are excellent.  I am dilating at exactly the depth Dr. Ley said was the goal during the physical exam in November.   Swelling in the main surgical area is expected but mine has definitely improved - I have been careful to apply ice any time I can.

The whiteboard shows why I didn't get a full nights sleep last night.  Took several naps and now I feel rested.



Went for a nice walk this evening in Old Town Scottsdale - explored a different area with art galleries.  I stopped to admire some of the art.  A few galleries contain things I don't understand unless it really was caused by random paint explosions sprinkled with ketchup or salsa. 

Couple more nights here, return to Seattle this Saturday.

[Colleen_definitely]

It'll be good to be home. 

But if you get a chance, try the green corn tamales at Macayo's.  Es bueno.

[Kendra]

Before experiencing the results of coming out to my parents six months ago, I didn't think I would ever receive an email like this - not in my lifetime.

From: (Kendra's mother)
To: Kendra F0wles
Thursday, January 25, 2018 9:36 PM

We just came home from Friday market
I bought shrimp and vegetable てんぷら for そばlunch
The shrimp てんぷらare very small shrimp, about '.5"'size,
They are good source of iron

I really appreciate thoughtful friend you have
This time, this operation to you are very important to you
Your friends came to you right after the operation and stayed with you
I am in tears
Please, thank to your friends for me

I knew you are recovering more than average
Because, you are healthy

I love you, kendra

[Laurie]

Very nice and touching letter Kendra.

Hugs,
  Laurie

[steph2.0]

Before experiencing the results of coming out to my parents six months ago, I didn't think I would ever receive an email like this - not in my lifetime.

From: (Kendra's mother)
To: Kendra F0wles
Thursday, January 25, 2018 9:36 PM

We just came home from Friday market
I bought shrimp and vegetable てんぷら for そばlunch
The shrimp てんぷらare very small shrimp, about '.5"'size,
They are good source of iron

I really appreciate thoughtful friend you have
This time, this operation to you are very important to you
Your friends came to you right after the operation and stayed with you
I am in tears
Please, thank to your friends for me

I knew you are recovering more than average
Because, you are healthy

I love you, kendra

That's so wonderful, Kendra. My tears are flowing freely, too. I bow low to your mother. Please thank her for her kind words. I hope she will some day allow me the honor of giving her a big hug.

Your sister,

Stephanie

[steph2.0]

Before experiencing the results of coming out to my parents six months ago, I didn't think I would ever receive an email like this - not in my lifetime.

A gift to Kendra
Love between parents and child
No wall can block it

[SassyCassie]

Before experiencing the results of coming out to my parents six months ago, I didn't think I would ever receive an email like this - not in my lifetime.

From: (Kendra's mother)
To: Kendra F0wles
Thursday, January 25, 2018 9:36 PM

We just came home from Friday market
I bought shrimp and vegetable てんぷら for そばlunch
The shrimp てんぷらare very small shrimp, about '.5"'size,
They are good source of iron

I really appreciate thoughtful friend you have
This time, this operation to you are very important to you
Your friends came to you right after the operation and stayed with you
I am in tears
Please, thank to your friends for me

I knew you are recovering more than average
Because, you are healthy

I love you, kendra

I'm speechless - truly I am!

The level of understanding and acceptance evidenced by your mom has got to be lifting some of that weight off of your shoulders.

It'll be okay, sister. Everything's going to work out fine.