Monday Musings- Missing in Action and OOTD
Happy Monday ladies. Today I’m musing about my latest reads, what to wear to the airport, and a life update.
Some of you may have noticed I was missing from the blog on Friday. I wasn’t planning to, but unfortunately spent Thursday afternoon and a very long evening in the emergency room. I’d been having increasing abdomen pain for days and my primary care doctor couldn’t fit me in so she insisted I go to the ER. She also explained, that in the ER, they can and will perform necessary tests for a diagnosis without waiting for insurance approval.
I’d already self-diagnosed myself and planned to wait to see her, but my kids phoned and read me the riot act…so I went.
Doctors don’t care for “Google medicine” so umpteen tests later, it was determined that I had an inflamed gallbladder and may have passed a gallstone. My bed was 54H which means it’s in the hallway which tells you how busy the ER was with 95 patients in beds.
I saw my primary Dr. the following morning and she’s called in an order for a few more tests to check my gallbladder function…we’re just awaiting insurance approval. She’s had me go back on a few supplements and told me to avoid fatty food, which I pretty much already do. I haven’t eaten red meat in 15+ years, avoid cheese and use very little faux butter, etc.
It was wise to go to the ER because they ruled out important things that could have been much more serious if ignored. I will keep you posted.
Currently reading
The ER wait was interminable and I didn’t think to bring a book, so I quickly downloaded this audible book for distraction. I’ve always had a small fascination with the “Swans” and this book has just enough delicious gossip to be a fast, fun listen. I also downloaded Madness Under The Royal Palms which I just started and am enjoying immensely!
Outfit of the week- What to wear to the airport
Many of us will be traveling this summer, and it may likely include a trip through several airports. I insist on being comfortable for long flights, but I also want to look classy because we’re treated by others, based on the image we present. Here’s an outfit for the airport that is comfy, stylish, and allows you to arrive looking polished.
- The shoes are one of my favorite brands. These have arch support and are made from a knit fabric that stretches for swelling feet.
- The sweater blazer is stretchy, comfy, and can be dressed up or down on your trip.
- My favorite brand of no-show socks keeps your feet clean when forced to take off your shoes going through security. You can carry a second clean pair in a ziplock if necessary.
- The cotton/cashmere wrap will help with refrigerated planes.
- The earrings, crystal-hinged bangle, Timex watch are inexpensive so you don’t need to worry about losing them.
- The cashmere tee is warm but won’t overheat you.
- I always travel with this convertible bag which multitasks on all my trips.
- The stretch pants have a narrow leg to keep them off the floor when using the lavatory. Crazy as it sounds, I think about those things when choosing a travel outfit because it’s one less thing to hassle with.
- I’ve had my eye on this spinner bag for months because my current one is looking pretty beat up.
Are you traveling this summer?
Thanks for reading ladies and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
Jennifer I do hope you’re feeling a little better by now. I definitely missed your post and was hoping everything was ok with you, so am sorry to read that you were unwell. I love your helpful and interesting ideas that you share with us. Take care. xx
Thank you so much, Jan.xx
Always am concerned when you miss a day. You’re so consistent and hardworking.
Feel better!
Thank you Maeve!
Feel better soon Jennifer. Prayers heading your way. 🙏
Thank you Lin
Thank you so much Lin
Oh dear…our complicated aging bodies! You have had a rough time of it, Jennifer, but are in the right hands for diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
I found myself outside our local emergency clinic in Oceanside,Vancouver Island, fully layered against the wind and rain , carrying a bowl …ewww! …in late April 2020…definitely not good timing! So many Covid protocols, leaving hubby outside and worried.
I had a feeling it was an inflamed kidney… wobbly, very nauseous ( bowl) , dull aching, and now chattering like a cartoon skeleton ‘ cause I could not get warm .
Diagnosed with a bad infection (wrong) and sent away with antibiotics. My doctor got me connected immediately to a Nanaimo urologist, god bless him! who wanted an ultrasound immediately . He correctly determined that I had stones moving about in my left kidney…that was the dull pain, but they had migrated and now lodged way up outside the kidney at the entrance to the ureter. He joked that I had ‘bragging rights’ due to their size , and a lithotripsy ( smashing those suckers) was required asap. Day surgery and healing followed, waiting for the stent to collect ‘the bits’. All good, except for the discomfort of having everything going up & down through ‘my pipes’ during this time. 😬
So fortunate to have Canadian healthcare, my own GP and a brilliant specialist. All good, as I’ve been monitored since. Definitely don’t want any migrating through the narrow bits next time!
Trips overseas since then do make me a tad anxious, especially the solo one recently, but everything with my waterworks is in good working order. Yeh!
Recently, it was my hardworking feet that needed my love , what with all of the cobblestones walked from exploring old towns in Portugal, Spain, and France .
My Elsa Jacobsen , Bernie Mev and Vionics were routinely switched up for my ‘sole comfort’ 👣 Yes, certainly more shoes than most might pack. But if you cannot walk comfortably, excursions are somewhat curtailed. Forgot my cooling mint foot cream, which was dumb.
I liked your travel outfit ideas. Very much me, both comfort and style combined.
Have you looked into Heys luggage , a Canadian brand ? I lucked out years ago, since Air Miles had that brand on their site available for spending your miles. Purchases are sent with no shipping charges ( even cast iron Le Creuset) !
I chose beautiful rolling suitcases with world 🌎🌍🌏 maps on …always well recognized at carousel pick up, and have had many compliments. Kids are especially intrigued as I stylishly roll through airports!
Gifts also for relatives from Heys using my Air Miles . This map style is still available on their site when I wanted another medium sized suitcase last year .
You take care, Jennifer… and hopefully a health plan will be sorted out soon. A bit ‘galling’ …pun intended …that you eat well and this sort of problem still happens !?
Cheers! 🐞
You have been through quite an ordeal, Cath! That is scary and sounds brutally painful. I’m so glad you got it all sorted out. Good medical care becomes more important the older we get. I plan my shoes very carefully when I travel because sore feet will ruin a vacation. Take care of yourself!!
Oh my, hope you are feeling better and that you get clear answers soon! I have made those trips to the ER. Scary stuff!
So sorry to read that you are in the EMR & not feeling well. It does sound like you are in the right place & will know soon what is going & what needs to be done. Get well soon! The summer & your followers await.
Thanks so much, Jami
Well wishes for feeling better soon! You always look amazing, and I’m sure that’s true even while occupying 54H!
LOL, I think I looked pretty bad 🙂
I had wondered what happened to your Friday post. So happy your kiddos insisted you go to the ER. Hope you are on the mend soon. Love your posts (and love the travel outfit)!
Thanks Christi
Oh, no, what an ordeal! I’m so glad you went to the ER; keep listening to your children. You’re such a trooper putting out a blog despite probably still feeling unwell. I wish you a good and speedy recovery. (BTW, I own that bag and the socks and love them!)
Thank you! My kids are on me to stay on top of the situation.
I so feel your gallbladder pain Jennifer! A few years back I wasn’t feeling well for months. Went from doctor to specialist so many times and no one could make a diagnosis. Finally, after living on Tylenol and Pepto it got so bad I couldn’t sleep on my side and almost jumped off the examination table when my dr pressed my stomach. She sent me to the ER where they determined it was my gallbladder and promptly took it out. What should have been a small incision turned into a six inch scar as my gallbladder had started to gangerine (sp?). Anyway it did take a little longer to heal from the surgery but I was so glad I got it out. As others have said it is not needed and I feel so much better without it. Moral of the story is don’t wait too long. If they recommend removal get it done sooner rather than later! Here’s hoping you feel better soon.
Oh no!! I’m glad they took yours out when they did. Glad you’re feeling better. If my Dr says mine needs to go, I’m not going to argue with her.
Hope your feeling better. Love your book selection and hope it distracted you a little bit.
Feel better soon and take care.
It is a fun distraction. A serious subject wouldn’t work right now 🙂
So glad you saw the doctor and got a diagnosis. On your recommendation I purchased a pair of Arcopedico shoes for a river cruise a few years ago and love them. They are still going strong. I like the ones you’ve shown here, with a bit more of a heel, and will look for them. I hope the gall bladder situation is soon resolved.
Thanks Lorrie
I Feel so bad you ended up in an ER. I realize you needed to be there (doctors orders) for the tests they can run, but feel badly you had to be there as that indicates you were in pain. Hopefully you are feeling better, Jennifer. Prayers🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Thank you Paulette. Keeping you in my prayers for your Mohs surgery. Xx
Jennifer,
Hope you feel better soon now that you have a diagnosis. My recommendation is that next time you need to go to the ER, call 911 for the paramedics to come and take you. If you arrive in the ambulance, you are treated immediately, beginning once they arrive at your house. This way you avoid a long wait in the waiting room. Of course, you have to have a serious medical emergency to call 911, but it sounded like you were when you went to ER on your own.
That’s a very wise suggestion!! Thank you
Hope you’re feeling better soon! Always good to check things out. I love everything about this gorgeous outfit; however, i think I would save it for an art gallery visit or a nice dinner out with my husband. I would worry i would spill something on it on the plane. It’s very nice looking but i think a nice jogging suit would be better for me.
Thanks Bet
Be careful with Dr. Google. You are right, he is hard to resist; however it can make us go down the rabbit hole and increase fear and anxiety. Glad you got “real” medical help. Feel better and hope you are on the mend.
Take Care.
Birds of a feather…Just last Sunday, I wound up in ER with similar pain, diagnosed as a kidney stone. Still waiting for it to be resolved. Feel better soon, Jennifer. Glad you sought help. As women, we tend to put ourselves last. Be well.
Oh no, those are brutally painful. I hope you get this resolved quickly! Keeping you in my prayers.
Hope you get to feeling better soon. Just a reminder ladies, as we get older (72) don’t ignore the little thing that we wouldn’t pay an attention to when we were younger. This pass August and September I had the “blahs” just didn’t feel good but no one thing to put your finger on. Occasionally pain in my stomach for a day but would go a way for a week or more. Felt fine when I went for annual check up end of September. Next week a little pain again but stomach had blown up out past my breast, Dr, ordered CT scan. From there to to ER. To the hospital. Inflamed gall bladder, fluid on my lungs AND stage 4 ovarian cancer. Have now have had chemo, surgery for cancer and removal of gall bladder and now in remission starting maintenance tomorrow. I feel very blessed to have good doctors but we do have to go to them……
I’m so very sorry, Janice!!! Thank goodness it was found and you’ve gotten treatment. Sending hugs and prayers for your continued recovery! Xx
I like joggers for the plane, as the narrow cuff keeps them off the lavatory floor 😊 Get well soon!
Great idea!!
Feel better and stay on top of your condition. My gallbladder attack let to pancreatitis and I would not recommend that to anyone.
Love your posts.
Hope you are up and around ASAP
You are adorable.
Thank you, Mary Ann
Don’t you love those skinny ER cots. I’ve had the same experience and ended up getting my gallbladder removed. Good luck with your gallbladder. I did miss you Friday.
Sorry about the ER visit. Never a good time there but sounds like you’re in good hands. I love your travel outfit and I’m currently putting together a black and white one for a long haul flight this summer. Since you’re checking out luggage I just have to recommend Away. Got my first one last month and the oversized carryon with fantastic and held up perfectly. Lots of fun colors but I went with boring grey so it holds up to scratching and scuffs better. But that blush pink! Looking forward to curating my capsule wardrobe for my upcoming trip using your tips and suggestions.
Goodness! So sorry for all of that and hope your test results are good and they can do something to help you feel back to normal.
I, too, had my gallbladder removed many years ago. I still remember the pain, which is right up there with childbirth. Feel better.
Thanks for the travel tips. I will be visiting a hot, humid place this summer and am looking for tips to deal with heat and humidity – not something we’re used to here! Best things to pack/wear?
Sorry to hear about your experience and extending wishes that you bounce back quickly. Also am glad that you went to the E.R. as at least there was no extended waiting time for tests (or surgery if need be). As to the ‘outfit of the week’. Super tips! -Brenda-
Gallbladders are nothing to fool around with…as are other conditions. Hope you are feeling better and get things resolved soon.
This post is especially helpful as I travel frequently. Completely agree that you get treated by how you are perceived! And I will definitely be checking out those socks. Thank you, Jennifer.
Thanks Karen. You’ll love the socks. I have multiple styles.
Dear Jennifer, I am so sorry to hear you were suffering from your gallbladder problems, and equally sorry you had to endure the ER. Your story really hit home; this week our son (mid-30’s) went to the ER for his appendix. Despite his pleas for assistance, it was not his turn until 7 hours later, when his appendix began to rupture. This resulted in infection and a five day hospital stay instead of a quick, routine procedure. I am relieved you are doing well, and hope your care will go smoothly. Best of luck to you!! ❤️
Oh no, Jo!! I’m so sorry. That’s very dangerous. He must have been in terrible pain. I hope he’s on the mend soon. Sending prayers for his recovery.
I’m sorry to hear about your visit to the ED! I work in a hospital & our ED is constantly over capacity.
You’re right about doctor’s hating it when patient’s go to Dr. Google for an opinion first! Apparently we are supposed to be “informed” about our health…but only from them?
Nonetheless- I hope you are feeling better soon and no serious health problem.
“Growing old is not for sissies” ~ Bette Davis
My google diagnosis was gallbladder so I wasn’t surprised. I think we need to be proactive about our health and do as much research as possible as we can.
So sorry you are having problems with your gallbladder. ER visits are so exhausting. We have never gotten released under 4 hours.
We just got back from London visiting daughter and granddaughter. I wear yoga pants, t shirt, sneakers, and sweater for that long 10 hour flight. When we get to Heathrow airport it is a of walking to and through customs , then a train ride to Paddington station and finally a taxi to my daughter’s house in Islington. I enjoyed it, but glad to be home. Unfortunately, I came home with an awful congested cold. I have tested for covid 4 times, different days and all negative. My 4 year old granddaughter is a walking Petri dish , so I think this is where I got my cold. I noticed she was stuffy and sniffing her nose for the 2 weeks we were there.
I hope you get the good treatment for your gallbladder and feel better soon. So glad they ruled out serious stuff.
Grandchildren are little Petri dishes but oh so fabulous. I hope you’re feeling better soon. Those tests aren’t fool proof so you may still have Covid. There we lots of patients in the ER with it.
Hi Sue L. Same situation here. I went to urgent care today and got a PCR test which the gold standard for accuracy for Covid. And I got a flu test. Both going around here in GA. I had neither but have a really bad case of bronchitis from a sweet Petri dish!
Oh no, feel better soon
So sorry you had to go to ER, but also glad for your own good. Hope your doctor can get this resolved without too much problem and that you are feeling better soon. Take care…prayers are with you.
Thanks Violet. I’ve got my fingers crossed I can avoid the surgery.
Yikes! How scary! Hope you feel better.
So glad you are feeling better Jennifer. Scary times. Thank goodness for Kindle to keep you distracted.
Quick recovery!
Take care Jennifer, feel better soon. Love your blog & sending 🙏🏻 for full recovery.
Thank you so much, Sharon
Get better soon! (and gallbladders are expendable!)
Lol, yes, I’ve been told they are. Thanks Mary
My sympathies! I had an ER visit due to terrible pain in 9/2019 – Dx gallstones – gallbladder removed in early 2020, just beat the pandemic shutdown. Will never forget the ER visit, but could get an ultrasound on the spot so it was very worthwhile, and ruled out other possibilities. I hope your problems resolve or you get rid of that pesky gallbladder 🙂
My gallbladder is feeling pesky! Sorry you had that experience. I’m glad to know it’s that organ though because we survive very well without one.
Hope you are feeling better soon. ER waiting is the worst, but sometimes necessary.
Thank you so much
So sorry your feeling bad. Get well soon. I enjoy your blog immensely..
Thanks Linda. I’m glad you’re here.
Sorry, Jennifer. I hope you will be pain-free today and into the future. Keep us posted!
P.S. I think you were smart to go to the ER, despite the long wait. Whenever my husband has breathing problems, I call an ambulance because it is the only way he can get immediate attention. We need health care reform!
Oh I agree!! We’ve used an ambulance many times over the years for similar reasons. Instant monitoring and care. Thank goodness we have them so close by too.
I can empathize with your situation. I had my gallbladder removed about a year ago. It was an immediate fix for me! Hope you feel better soon! So glad ypu wnt to the ER!
I may be heading that way but hope not.
So sorry you are not feeling well!! I wondered where your post was. Just figured it was a computer glitch. Hope you are feeling better very soon. You really dress up when flying…good for you. I’m a jeans, nice shirt, warm jacket and comfy tennis shoe type. But, my traveling is always for pleasure. Wishing you better days ahead! My husband is nursing a very bad hip….I think a replacement hip is on the very near horizon. New hip #2. ☹️
It’s funny you say that, but that same outfit in other colors would look a lot more casual. I guess I do dress up more than many, but that’s how I am for most “events”. I’m sorry to hear about his hip!! That must be excrutiating.
I don’t know how I got on your e-mail list, but I look forward to reading it everyday. Sorry you have been under the weather, wishing you a speedy recovery.
Hi Barbara! I don’t know how either but we’re glad you’re here with us. Thank you
Thank goodness you went to the ER and got a diagnosis and are feeling better. As a friend in health care said to me “Dr. Google is not a real doctor”.
Please keep us updated. Hugs.
Your friend is right. It hard to resist though. Thanks Yvonne.
So sorry you had to spend time at the ER. Sending prayers that you will soon be feeling better.
Thanks Ginger. Gallbladder inflammation is surprisingly painful.
Sorry to hear you were not feeling well but glad you went to the ER. It really angers me that you have to go to an ER for necessary tests to be approved quickly. Doesn’t make sense financially because I believe any tests or medications given in the ER are billed at a higher rate. Unfortunately, our health care system does not work well when we need it most.
Love the travel outfit and spinner suitcase.
I’m just grateful we live close to one to get there in a timely manner. I often feel tests get done that aren’t needed but that’s better than the opposite when it’s our health.