Cat scans and hipsters: Day 5/6

Last night was strange and fun. I had a Whiskey Licker comp, never been there, checked it out. MUCH larger than I thought, and it looks out over the FSE. I was gazing out the window when two people flew by, and I almost fell off my chair. The zipline goes right by at eye level! They have compelling burgers and pizzas but to at least TRY to counterbalance my recent unhealthy eating, I ordered a big ol' salad and some BBQ chips on the side. The salad was huge and terrific, with lotsa big slices of radishes, cucumbers, grape tomatoes, carrots, etc. The chips were awesome, too. I gotta go back and have one of their less heart-healthy options. Very good service there, nice people. Five stars.

I then chewed my way through the FSE crowds to the Plaza. The FSE is always nuts, with loud (LOUD) music and lately, the ubiquitous reek of pot smoke. A lot of people just hang there, holding a drink and staring at the ceiling, so it's kind of difficult to move when you just want to walk down the street. Not my cup of tea, or even my cup of Pepto Bismol, but some people like it. Evidently.

I checked out the Plaza. Their table games are the usual assortment, with a couple of twists. I saw $10 3:2 BJ, dealt from a shoe. I didn't play, as I was curious to see if the last remaining fullpay joker machines were still in existence. Well, I found one, and didn't look for any more, as I happily plopped myself down and stuck in a hundy. Three hours later, I cashed out with a $6.25 profit. I had a bit of a hard time recalling the nuances of the strategy--it had been years since I played this game--but it's easy.

This morning, the breakfast concierge service was shockingly late--6:30!--but the feline divas accepted their Friskies with only mild grumbling. I then sat on the couch and offered pets and head scritches, until they retired to their respective favorite spots: Daisy in her window box, watching the world go by, and Mandrake at the very top of his cat tower (over six feet high), lord of all he surveys. They were happily snoozing when I left.

They already have my friend up and walking down the hall, using a cattle prod only occasionally. So the surgery and recovery must be going well. I'm going to visit her this afternoon.

Glad your friend is doing well.   Don't forget my admonition...request "home health" services.  This is a limited number of visits in her home by a healthcare person (nurse?) who can observe/assist her needs in the first few days/weeks after discharge. 

A friend of mine, like your friend, energetic for age (mid 80s), had good experience with home health after discharge from hospital.  She hadn't thought she'd needed it, and maybe she'd been OK, but she was complimentary and appreciative of the help.  Got good tips on doing ADLs (activities of daily living) with minimal risk of falling/injury, etc.  

She'll probably need to ask for it...as I said the hospital personnel might not think offer and she might hesitate to ask.  She should have a "discharge planning" team session before going home to assess her needs....bathing, toileting...cooking, telephone (maybe one of those alert buttons), stairs/steps, walker, cane.  She (or you if you are there) should say "yes, I'll need some assistance at first since I live alone."  Even one visit could be of value, or a few more.  God bless you for helping her, especially with the kitties.  We love our pets but that is another potential difficulty if living alone.

Glad your friend and her kitties are doing well.

Thanks for update Our downtown plan tomorrow 

Best wishes for your friend 

Hope your friend does really well. And that her cats don't test her mobility. I have one very old black cat that plops in the way at every opportunity.

Thanks for the reports and best wishes for your friend and the felines. Eat well.

Great report and hope your friend has a great recovery. 

Yes, great report.  I will have to try out Whiskey Licker on my next visit.

She's already set up for a daily home health visit. She has awesome insurance, and they grilled her about her home situation so they know it'll be a necessity. She continues to recover well---I'll drop in on her tomorrow. Don't know when they'll be discharging her.

The kitties are accustomed to being fed on a low tabletop, so no worries there, but i'm concerned about the litterbox (which they share). It might be pretty damn hard for her to keep it clean. I think I might get her one of those auto-cleaner gizmo boxes. I don't think you can ask the home health aide to do that :)

Tonight was a great steak dinner at Emerald Island and a rousing $9 profit on video poker. Tomorrow, kitty breakfast at 6:30, Kevin breakfast at 8:00, and I'll do a hospital visit. I don't know how long I need to be here, but I have my room for another seven days if necessary.