Feeling "Blue"....

With so many of people we "Hung out " with & got to know...are now leaving to all parts of the US- the park is getting more & more  empty.  Originally, we were planning on leaving on April 1st  so we could "Meander " North to Michigan.  My "Dream " (Selfishly ) was to be at my daughter's  in Kalamazoo Michigan by my birthday (May 4)...or at least for Mother's Day (May 12)....I haven't shared a Mother's Day with my daughter in decades - Sadly , we have to wait for Filbert's eye to be without infection - then his doctor can replace a  suture.....FINALLY a week after the suture replacement  the doctor will release him to leave for Michigan !!!  So as you can see...it doesn't seem likely that Birthday & Mother's Day will be happening in Florida  :(    The "Upside " is that we got a chance to see friends/pastors from Oregon....they surprised me with an early birthday cake to share with our RV neighbors....and a gorgeous Gardenia Plant !!! I am truely blessed !!!

Washington RV friends

Ed & Diane from Puyallup, WA...headed out of the park Monday April 29.....going to Yosemite National Park !   We had fun learning  the game "Pegs & Jokers " from them....

Filbert & Martie at Orlando Thousand Trails Lake

Mike & Heather at Orlando Thousand Trails Lake

How fun!  Mike & Heather surprised us by coming to Orlando Thousand Trails for their last night before flying home to Oregon ....We took them on a tour of the park ....here they're at the lake

Sandhill Cranes near our place

Just a short while ago I posted a picture of a baby Sandhill Crane ....well now the baby has really grown up quickly !!.  can you tell the baby from the adults ?

Local "Slow moving " neighbor

While riding my bike in the area...I saw one of several turtles who live in the park...munching on the local turf

Filbert & Heather enjoying a good laugh

After an eye appointment in Tampa - Filbert & Martie  met Mike & Heather at Cracker Barrel near Lakeland FL-on Thursday , April 25. After lunch, we took some extra visiting time on Cracker Barrel 's front porch, before we headed back to Orlando & Mike/Heather headed to Tampa.

Friends from Oregon at Cracker Barrel

Pastors Mike & Heather Miller from Corvallis OR were in Orlando FL for a church planting conference ....so we were blessed to have  a chance to visit with them at Cracker Barrel after the conference and before they took off to celebrate their 20th anniversary in Tampa Bay area.

Jim & Beth's "Backup Driver"...Teddy

Jim & Beth's Shelty dog...Teddy likes to be "In charge "...
Teddy is only 1 + 1/2 years old & very well behaved !  Sweet dog!

Neighbors ...Oregonians from Sisters OR

Jim & Beth & dog Teddy - left Orlando Thousand Trails last Thursday ....headed West ...

The Eye

Well,  good news and not so good news. Good news is that there is less infection since the last time I saw him. Bad news is there is a little rejection of the graft. Remedy: To increase the Pred Forte to 6 times daily, instead of four. This could possibly slow down the "Getting rid" of the infection. The Dr. said, we'll just have to wait and see what it looks like at my next appointment-this Monday the 29th.

I was hoping he would be able to replace the broken suture next week, but, he said "No way"...But he will have a better idea as to "How to proceed" after Monday. Looks like we will be here, in Orlando area for at least 2 more weeks, since he wants to see me a week after the suture is replaced.

Hope everybody has a good weekend,

Filbert

Ferns growing out of a palm tree

Filbert noticed several ferns growing out of a palm tree at Myakka River Park

Very tranquil park

Very ptetty & tranquil ...Myakka River Park ...there are several areas to just stop, reflect & listen to the birds & other wildlife

Myakka River Park

My brother & his wife (Ron & Dianne ) told us about this Venice City Park ....so Filbert & I thought we'd explore !

The Eye

Dr.said the infection is a little less today but the area where the suture broke appears to be puckered up a little more. He said if it continues to open up, he may have to replace the suture right a away before the infection is completely gone.  That is one thing he doesn't really want to do but, he said he may not have a choice.

I don't see him till the 25th as he will be in San Francisco teaching. I will be seeing the Retina Specialist on Monday the 22nd.

Ketch you all later,

Filbert

The Eye

Mondays trip to the Dr. was basically a repeat of the last ones that I have taken. The only difference was that it was a week in between visits instead of 2 or 3 days. The Dr. said the infection was definitely less than the previous visit, but there is still a ways to go. There is no sign of leakage underneath the transplant, even tho it is still puckered up where the suture broke. The epithelial cells are fairly stable, but not reproducing like he would like them to do. He is not too concerned about that at this time, just wants to get rid of the infection and the suture replaced. My next visit is tomorrow.

Hope you are all having a wonderful day,

Filbert

Cousins ...Katie & Roxie

Great Aunt Barb & Hunter

Cousins ...Roxie with Hunter plus -mom Katie & daddy Eric

After visiting around Ron's firepit ...we headed over to Jan's to see the family's latest addition ....baby Hunter... 3 weeks old

Family at the Back Porch

Judy...Roxie ...Ron ..Dave ...Jan...Riley ..say "Peaches" !  Great smiles

Sister Judy & Niece Roxie

Judy & Roxie are both form Oregon ....but met in Florida at our  sister Jan's...in Venice for game day!

Roxie , Dave & Ron at Jan's Back Porch

Neiece Roxie ...Our Brother Ron... & Nephew Dave  "Hamming it up"!

Martie & Filbert ...Fred & Jan @ the Back Porch

Our campsite @ Royal Coachman ..Venice , Fl

Brought Harvey down to Royal Coachman so Martie could spend "Family-Time " with siblings, cousin & extended family ..before Barb, Roxie & Judy head out  West & Northwest ....& we head to Michigan

Linda & Judy @ the Back Porch

Sister Jan & Brother Ron at the Back Porch playing Headbandz

Barb is.........a fictional boy character

Reid & Riley ready for a ride !

At Fred & Jan's during Game Day

Cousin Linda Cavanaugh is a utility "Thing "

Judy playing Headbandz

Fun & Crazy word game

Headbandz Word Game

Roxie & Cousin Linda Playing Headbandz

Giddy up go!

Loaded up Fred & Jan's golf cart for a ride around  the block !

Filbert & Ron visiting at Fred & Jan's Back Porch

The Eye

The trip to the Dr. Monday was good. He said the infection is going away. Not fast enough for me, but, at least it is going away. The Dr. is in Washington D.C. this week testifying against the Health Care Bill, so I don't see him again till Monday the 15th.Kinda nice to get a reprieve. He wanted to know if I felt like I needed to see another Dr. in the meantime, and I told him with the eye improving consistently and another Dr. wouldn't know what the condition of my eye looked like, I didn't think it was worthwhile. He agreed with that thought process.

Going to go down to Venice Friday for a week so Martie can visit with her Brothers and Sisters, including Barb from AZ.

Be back here at Orlando on the 19th for another 3 weeks, unless the Dr. says okay to head North to MI.

Ketch you next time,

Filbert

The Eye

Just got back from another Dr. visit. Things haven't changed much. The infection is a little more concentrated and a teeny weenie little bit smaller. Wish it would completely disappear, which it will with time.

Central Florida has been getting some much needed rain and a little wind to go with it. Of course we are also getting some warm sunshine.

Next Dr. appointment is Monday, then the Dr. is going to be in Washington D.C.for the rest of the week to testify before Congress about something that he evidently has a passion for. I don't know if he will have me see another Dr. while he is gone or just wait till the following Monday the 15th. I feel it is a waste of time to see another Dr. because they have nothing to compare the condition of my eye to, as they don't know what it previously looked like.

Have an awesome weekend.

Until next time,

Filbert

ollowing Monday the 15th to see me. I feel it is a waste of time for me to see another Dr. as they have no idea of what to compare my eye to like Dr. Fouraker does.

Have an awesome weekend,

Until next time,

Filbert

The Eye

Well the Dr. visits are getting to be just a routine visit it seems to me. Yes. he is looking at my eye, but there isn't much change. Today the infection was a little less (which is good), but the epithelial cells were also a little less (which is not so good). I think the main focus is getting rid of the infection so he can replace the suture, then deal with the rest of the healing later. The cornea has to get round before eye sight will return, but cannot lay down flat with the pucker where the suture came out, that is why the suture has to go back in as it doesn't want to lay down flat on its own.

Next appointment is Wednesday and then again Friday. 

Everything was good at the Retina Specialist.

Later,

Filbert