HAL Sailer

And, it is also my DH's 87th birthday! The worrywart me isn't sure he will celebrate 88 as his well-being has deteriorated significantly over the summer. The prayerful me continues to have hope. Despite faithfully using his walker, he fell once in June, twice in August, and again earlier this month. Thankfully, the worst injury was ripping his arm open -- a wound that is slow to heal due to blood thinners from his prior stroke. The extreme pain and weakness that has developed in his right leg led to the falls. DH is now in a wheelchair. So far, our Primary Care's prescription arsenal has not touched the pain and his Physical Therapist has not found the answer to DH's weakness. Both are now recommending tests to determine if DH's issue is internal medicine based rather than strictly orthopedic. And, I've been warned those tests could reveal a difficult diagnosis... I tell you this by way of explaining my absence. I have read The Daily each day, have quietly held Daily-ites in prayer, joined in celebrations, and made only a very occasional comment over the past months. As my dad would have said, "There have been other fish to fry." I do not see travel anywhere in our near term future. And, we haven't been to sea on a BHB since 2019 when we tested out DH's post stroke abilities. So, I feel more like a HAL fraud than a HAL sailor. (Maybe I should change my CC name???) But, I ask your forbearance as I sort through our ever changing new normal and I ask for your prayers for my DH. Know that I am with you daily in spirit even if not often in contribution. Sending you each my best, -Melisa

Not pictures I took as I'm still up north, but this is what is left of the only north-south road on Manasota Key, FL after Idalia. Perhaps, more accurately, "What ISN'T left of the road." This section of road is about two miles north of my family's winter place which fared well. The Key is about 12 miles long and now functionally cut in half. Manasota Key is about 250 miles south of where Idalia went ashore. Looking at this road damage, it's hard to fathom what daylight tomorrow will reveal where the worst of the damage occurred. Stay safe everyone. Idalia isn't done yet. -Melisa

Oops! Oops! Correction: I meant that @rafinmd does not put himself before others OR puts others ahead of himself. I hope the Daily-ites recognized my mistake as mistaken long before I re-read my comment and found my awful but unintentional error. My apologies to @rafinmd, -Melisa

@rafinmd I sense you are a person who puts yourself before others, but I respectfully think you are due some prayer as you continue this medical journey. 🙏May your appointments lead to answers, improved health, and returned strength.🙏 -Melisa

🙏Prayers continue for Baby Murphy.🙏

🙏Prayers for you, your DH, and his medical team as decisions are made to speed his complete recovery.🙏 -Melisa

@luvteaching Wishing you peace, comfort, and courage as you navigate the days ahead. Heartfelt condolences.

🎂Happy Birthday @catmando!🎂 Hope your special day is ending as well as it started. Best wishes with your NO smoking challenge.That's a great gift!

@Quartzsite Cruiser Thanks for your response, suggestions, and ideas. (Like you, we've been driving.) I've found the various airlines' websites aren't terribly informative and trying to reach a knowledgeable rep is hit or miss. But, you're right, there must be some source for good information. Thanks!

❓@Quartzsite Cruiser Did you fly with the walker ❓ My DH has an identical one to your DH's walker (the one pictured) and I've been puzzling over what one does with a walker during flights. Do you gate check the walker like a baby stroller? And, if you gate check it, how do you manage the walker from check-in, through security and to your gate or between gates at connecting airports when your DH is using airport wheelchair assistance (if he does)? Or do you check the walker in with your checked luggage? If so, do you need a case, cover, or similar to put it in? Many thanks, in advance, for any tips.

DB -- watching over me for 70+ years...

HMC. ahhhhhh...

We have wonderful memories of the Casa Piriquita -- and especially their Queijadas and Travesseiros de Sintra -- while on a shorex in Sintra during our Caribbean to Europe honeymoon cruise 28 years ago this week. Oh, those pastries... Thanks for the memories.

@The-Inside-CabinYour photo made me chuckle with memories. Twenty-five years ago, on my first day of safari in Kenya's Amboseli, I was warned that if one wasn't careful one would quickly take an entire roll of zebra butt pictures. "Oh, not me," I thought. After all, I'd been warned. Well, five minutes and 36 film frames later... Enjoy your safari -- and being digital! -Melisa

That's the naming tradition in my DH's family for the first born son: Charles Stephen begat James Charles begat Floyd James begat Scott Floyd begat Randall Scott begat Ethan Randall... -Melisa

@kazu, where are you? It doesn't appear @kazu has posted anywhere on HAL since Saturday and not on The Fleet/Daily since Friday. Sending care, prayer, and hugs to @kazu -Melisa

@JazzyV In case no one has already asked, could we please add to the Care List the family of the Nieuw Statendam entertainment crew member who died in a diving accident during a port stop in Curacao yesterday? Thanks, -M.

What a day of Daily-ite's medical highs and lows. I rejoice for those getting good news and lend my voice to the support already offered to those absorbing such difficult reports. -Melisa

@grapau27 That's surprising info. Peanut butter is a pantry staple in most American homes and I hadn't known it isn't freely available in Great Britain. Thanks for helping me 'learn something new each day'. -Melisa

@Quartzsite Cruiser YES, Lenda, you are always so supportive and your words of encouragement are always heartfelt. Knowing the emoji was in error solves my puzzlement. (And, I've also now seen your post #89 that hadn't posted when I asked my post #90 question.) Thanks, -Melisa

@Quartzsite Cruiser Your 😄 (Ha Ha) reaction in #88 puzzles me. I hadn't meant to be anything but serious and sympathetic. I'm not offended by your 😄 -- just puzzled about what seemed funny, -Melisa

@Cruzin Terri I've been dealing with what you are now facing and I fully understand how difficult, tiring, and stressful it is even though we love our DHs deeply. I'm glad you decided to tell us. I found that 'saying it out loud' was a turning point for me as admitting "I can't do it all, I can't do it alone" felt like I had lifted a burden off my shoulders. I send my prayers, my hugs, and my camaraderie. Lean on us, -Melisa

Noticed that @Seasick Sailor hasn't posted since the lack of electricity delayed their port stop in Lahaina. Hoping all is okay on the K... -M.

@Safety Squirrel May I ask if you went with a tour company? And, if so, would you be willing to share Its name and any comments you might share? My DH can no longer make long and/or arduous trips, but I am adding to my bucket list. Thanks for posting today, -Melisa

Hoping @dfish arrived home safely ahead of the storm hitting Midland. I'm two+ hours north of her. The storm has arrived here -- ice, snow, wind. This is our current ice-coated view (NOT!) out our Living Room now ⬇️: And, this is our usual winter view ⬇️: -Melisa