Day Trip Wed. July 29

On the hottest day on record in western WA, we headed up to Mt. Baker. At over 5,000 feet it was still in the high 80's! It was a beautiful day and perfect for a drive. Ralph had been skiing there many years ago, but had never been past the ski area. Pam had never been there! The wildflowers were in bloom and the mountains were spectacular. We stopped to see Nooksak Falls and the Nooksak River. Picture Lake is right by the ski area and then the end of the road is Artist Point where the views of Mt. Baker and Mt. Shuksan are picture perfect! Cookie enjoyed the ride and a picnic lunch while viewing the wildflowers and mountains. We came back on Chuckanut Drive from Bellingham. It had been years since we had been on that road and the trees sure have grown and block most of the view now. One of the neat restaurants, Oyster Creek Inn, has unfortunately gone out of business.

Ralph's only appoinment this week was for lab work. The only result we know is his anticoagulation is now at 2.5, which was the target. He is just tired all the time and he and Cookie enjoy their afternoon naps together! We won't know much more until after Aug. 10.




Afternoon "siesta"
















Nooksak Falls



















Our picnic lunch view














Picture Lake with Mt. Shuksan















Mt. Baker











Mt. Shuksan














Cascade Mountains

Latest on Ralph

Yesterday was the test for anticoagulation and he was 1.9, so a slow climb to 2.5 -3.0 that is the target. They upped that medication again. Today he saw the doctor and his heart rate was 100 - YEA!!! That is the lowest it has been for a good long while. So, next week he just has to have some blood tests done to again check his anticoagulation and level of digoxin. The doctor felt he was doing well enough to wait now until his appointment with the cardiologist Aug. 10 and then back to this doctor on Aug. 12. The cardiologist will determine what to do to get his heart rate back to normal and his regular doctor will continue to control his meds. At least he will be on medicare by then!!! It sure gets expensive when we are paying the entire bill! They want him to have light exercise - just not raise his heart rate to much, so we are walking and biking very slowly. Loving this beautiful summer weather!!!

Beautiful Weather

Ralph's heart rate is still 120 so he is on another medication that makes him tired and gives him an upset stomach. His anticoagulation is 1.8, so they upped that medication. Back again on Tues and Wed. He is supposed to walk, so when he is feeling good we walk on the paved trail here and try to get further each time. This week he wanted to get out so we drove to the top of Mount Erie for some spectacular views of this area. Then we just drove around the area to see how it has changed since we left in 2001. Since Anacortes is surrounded by water it has no where to grow, so it remains much the same. There are a few new houses, most of which are huge! Anacortes has changed over the years from a sleepy railroad town to an upscale town and prices to match. Cookie needed a haircut and since when I do her Ralph has to hold her and he can't do that right now, she went to the groomer. I wasn't sure I was picking up the right dog - she was beautiful! And the groomer said she was a perfect girl - could this be Cookie she was talking about! So, here are pictures of Cookie and the views from Mount Erie. And yes, the weather is beautiful - sunny and warm!!

Latest Update

Ralph had a follow up doctors appointment today, so we have a better idea of how things will proceed from here. His diagnosis is atrial fibrillation. He has been on medication to lower his heart rate to between 50 - 70. He is also on coumadin to lower the risk of clots. We now have his heart rate under control and they have changed that med to a slow release formula that he only has to take twice a day. With coumadin he has a blood check each week and we need to get that number to between 2 and 3. Today it was 1.6 so they increased his dosage. There is very little chance that his heart rate will return to normal on its own. So...........until the first of August (when he goes on medicare), he will be monitored weekly. Then he will start with a cardiologist and they will be doing more tests to make sure there are no other problems. He must have 3 to 4 weeks of blood tests that are between 2-3, before they will proceed with anything other than the medication to correct the A Fib, so waiting to see the cardiologist until August is no problem. That gives us time to get his coumadin at the right dosage to proceed with more agressive treatments.

He is now allowed to take walks, although he has to move very slowly or he gets "winded" very quickly. He is happy to get out and do something! He does not do well sitting all day reading and watching TV!

We have extended our stay here at the RV park in Anacortes WA until Sept. 1. After we get his heart taken care of, he has some other medical appointments that must be done before we leave for the winter. We will have a better idea how long we will be here once he sees the cardiologist, but it is looking more like Oct. 1 at this point.

Thanks to everyone for your messages and calls!!! Now if this rain would leave and we could get back to summer, we would feel even better!

Ralph Joins "Heart" Club

After days of no energy, cough and trouble breathing, Ralph went to the doctor this morning. Of course he was sure it was allergies and asthma, but alas it is atrial-flutter. This should sound familiar to some of you out there! So we are trying the medication route of slowing the heart rate and lowering the blood pressure to see if it will correct on its own. We should know more on Wed. when he goes back again. Until then he has to rest and do nothing!

Whidbey Island Drive

It is a beautiful sunny day - one of those perfect northwest Washington days! We decided to take a drive down Whidbey Island and revisit some of our favorite places. First was Deception Pass. This is a spectacular bridge and view from up high. We have also seen the view from the water as we have gone under this bridge many times in our boats.




Next we drove out to Fort Ebbey. This is one of the military installations from WWI. Other than a few buildings, there is nothing else left here except a beautiful park with a beach.


Further down the island is Fort Casey. Here most of the buildings and housing are still used today. There are still some of the batteries along the water that you can explore. There is a lighthouse, but it is undergoing major renovations and was closed. Across the water is Port Townsend and the snow covered Olympic Mountains.



















Last stop was Coupeville for lunch. This is a quaint little town right on Penn Cove. It is basically one street and is a haven for tourists! We had lunch at the Knead & Feed which is a tiny place in a building that is 138 year old. The view from our table was of Penn Cove and Mount Baker.
















After lunch we walked out on the wharf. There are some shops out there, but it also gives you a view of the buildings perched along the water.



















Thought I would also post some pictures of the views we have at our RV park. Each time we take a walk this is what we see. First is looking north towards the town of Anacortes. Next is across to the refinery and Mount Baker. There are very large grass areas to enjoy these views in your chair with a cold drink. Life doesn't get any better!