PORTLAND PICKLE VOL I ISSUE 5

PORTLAND WALK

We escaped Portland and are established back in Ashland for the remainder of the summer.  Portland was an interesting and necessary interlude and absolutely the right choice but it is good to be back in Southern Oregon. 

The final appointment with the surgeon was scheduled for an hour and a half.  We were both wondering why in the world so much time was allotted.  I mean, by now either things were progressing as expected or there was something much more fundamentally wrong and someone should have noticed well before the two month post surgery mark.  Having mastered the route to Providence St. Vincent during Mick’s hospitalisation and subsequent visits and checkups we were confident that 20 minutes was more than enough time to make the trip.  So it was with great equanimity we allocated 25 minutes, just in case we had trouble parking.   Naturally, this was the day for every possible unforeseen circumstance to arise.  

HOLLYWOOD THEATRE

Right off, there was a mini traffic jam right inside the parking structure.  There were cars coming and going, vehicles double parked in order to facilitate removing groceries and just a general delay.  Just to put things in perspective, there is a two way ramp which goes up for three levels.   The truth is, it is really only wide enough for one car.   Moreover, the tight space is exacerbated by the presence of so many beautiful, large, and expensive automobiles.  Our MKZ and possibly a Subaru Outback are probably the most down market vehicles in the entire structure.  If you take a look around, which often do as our space is on the top level, the number of Teslas is remarkable.  Being as they are all electric, their savings in fuel would probably buy gas for a family of four for a year.  There is actually a Bentley on the ground floor, more BMWs and Mercedes than you can shake a stick at, not to mention Audis, Lexus and several extremely large Land Rovers.  So, when you meet someone coming the opposite direction it is a game of chicken to see who is going to give way first.

 

BREAKFAST AT FULLERS

Having navigated the nightmare of getting out of the garage and waiting on the street while the doors closed, so as not to allow any riff-raff access to the several million dollars of transportation inside, we took off on city streets toward the freeway.  Roadblock number two was quite literally a roadblock to accommodate roadwork.  Detour signs, flaggers with their stop and slow signs, an inordinate number of people travelling down our normally quiet road and we made it to 15^th Ave.  Did I mention I also had to drive down Northrup which has the street car lines.  I have a serious aversion to street s with rails. I am always convinced that I am in the way and don’t belong there at all.  I mean, really, isn’t this space meant for the streetcar and not an automobile!  

 

TANNER PARK

It should now be a straight shot down 15^th, on to Interstate 5, stay to the right, merge on to 26, hold the course for about 4 miles and take the Barnes road exit . . . 10 minutes max.  Except  this day.  We crawl along 15^th, we creep on to the freeway, and crawl up and the hill past the zoo and Washington Park on our way to Beaverton.  Mick’s anxiety level is rising, there is no way we are missing this appointment.  This is when mobile phones come in to their own.  Finding the proper phone number was a bit of a trial but eventually he connects with the doctor’s office to let them know we WILL be late. 

Given the hour and half duration we anticipated some tests and a real exam. Au contraire.  It’s you normal sort of an exam.  Take your vitals, a cursory examination of the incision and an opportunity for questions and we are done.  This is after all the surgeons office, he did his job, the rehab is all on you.  The hour and a half?  Well, that’s a just in case things aren’t going well!   He didn’t even get to see the surgeon, as is so often the case we saw the Physicians Assistant, who at least gave permission for him to resume driving. 

 

ASHLAND WALK

So, you want to know how he’s doing . . . They repaired his heart and made an attempt to correct the atrial fibrillation.  (From the Mayo Clinic: Atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase your risk of stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications.)  It is still a wait and see sort of game. 

MISSION DISTRICT - SF

PARKING GARAGE - SF

In the last few weeks he has begun cardio rehab, which is nothing more than going to the gym to work out with a heart monitor attached.  There have been a number of changes to the medications they are using to treat the afib and at long last has been given the okay to raise his hands above his head.  I’m relieved, things can be moved back up to higher shelves in the kitchen and I can occasionally ask that he get something down for me rather than fetching a step ladder (small pleasures).  

DOLORES PARK

BELLEFIORE WINERY - ASHLAND

 As you can see we have pretty much resumed our normal life.  A trip to SF to see Leigh, Ben & Dino over 4th of July, plenty of walking in Ashland and almost any opportunity for wine and music.  

This will be the end of the Portland Pickle unless something unforeseen happens.  Our every expectation is the afib will be controlled if not eliminated and life will continue to get better and better.