My Father-in-law’s Condition Is Improving and Our Busy Week

January 9, 2026

I waited to post until I had good news. My father-in-law has had a struggle to recover from his latest medical problems. He had been in a lot of pain and fortunately the pain is reducing.

He was able to start eating soft foods today (January 9). Solid foods pose a choking hazard due to his incubation. Yesterday (January 8), my FIL was reading the paper in bed. The Physical Therapist, with a nurse, was able to help him stand up and walk a few steps to a recliner chair. Sitting in the chair is to help with his lungs and heart.

The latest chest X-ray is showing less fluid in the lungs.

While this is good news, it is going to be a long haul for him to recover.

Just a couple of pictures from Saturday (January 3).

On Sunday (January 4), Nox got me up in time to see the sunrise.

Later in the day, Bruce and I assembled the workbench we bought as a flat pack. After we had it most of the way assembled, we realized it was missing the small drawer fronts.

On Monday (January 5), I went to my neurologist appointment. While the burning sensation has not gotten better, the doctor had some suggestions to try. He thought I might be low on potassium and/or magnesium. Magnesium is often used to stabilize abnormal nerve excitation. My previous neurologist had me try magnesium supplements to see if they would help. They didn’t. Maybe more potassium will help.

While I was at the neurologist, Bruce stopped by Harbor Freight to see if they had replacement drawer fronts. They didn’t, but gave him a phone number to call.

On January 7 (Wednesday), we took Nox for her annual check up. Her heart maybe enlarging. The veteran said it was on the large end of normal. The veteran is going to compare last year’s X-rays to this years. She also suggested glucosamine shots to help Nox’s arthritis. Nox has developed arthritis in both her shoulder joints. The first set of treatments using the glucosamine shots is to have them every four days for three weeks. Then it will be every three to six months. I hope it helps.

Nox also got her vaccines. The veteran suggested getting a yearly shot for heart worms and flea and tick prevention. We agreed to this, but have to wait until next month, when Nox’s current dosages have gotten out of her system. This made me think of Leslie from “The Adventures of a Bitey Dog” and the “L. Bowman Studios”. The ticks are just terrible where she lives.

Nox has developed a cough and the blood work should help narrow down what is wrong. The vet said Nox’s trachea looked fine, so it wasn’t a collapsed trachea causing the cough.

Nox seemed fine when we got home, but later in the day she started feeling bad. She just wanted to curl up and sleep.

Bruce and I did some major shopping online. Bruce bought a Husky toolbox that can be used as a work surface. Then we ordered another freezer, the same model as our current one from Amazon. These items were to be delivered the next day.

The next day (Thursday January 8), Bruce and I did some clean up and moving things around in the garage. We wanted to be ready for the tool chest and freezer. While we waited for the delivery, we put the flat pack of shelves we bought together. The tool chest was delivered right after we had the shelves assembled. The freezer arrives shortly after. We put the new freezer in place. We had a very busy morning.

Around 1 o’clock, I got a call from the frame shop. “Juneau in Wild Sunflowers” was ready, as well as the glass picture Jeanne (ajeanneinthekitchen.com) gave me for Christmas. We drove to the frame shop. When I saw the framed picture of Juneau, I was so excited that I forgot to take a picture. I loved how it looked. The glass picture looks gorgeous! I’ll share a picture once I have it hung in the window. I want to capture the sunlight shining through the colored glass.

Our next stop was the shipping store, the Mailing Room. Marty at the frame shop recommended them for packing and sending the picture safely. While I filled out the form, Bruce played ball with the border collie in the store. They had a great time.

When we got home, I received a text from the Mailing Room with the tracking number. Jeanne should get her early birthday present on Sunday, but it may be Monday.

When we got home, I put down cardboard in a 4’ x 25’ garden bed. Bruce mulched it with leaves. This should kill the grass and improve the soil at the same time. We finished mulching the blueberry area with chipped pine mulch from our downed pine trees.

Today (Friday, January 9), Bruce cleared out the small garage room with a window. I came out and helped him get the shelves in place.

Once the shelves were in place, Bruce started putting items on the shelves, as well as tools in his new tool chest.

We went to Lowe’s today and bought another flat pack of the same shelves. They are easy to assemble and very sturdy. We put together the second set of shelves in place.

I am excited about getting the tools and boxes of nails and screws out of the odd room.