April 18 - 2016 So Glad We are on the Other side of this Day.... Today Ivan is feeling much better, Yesterday was difficult

Monday, April 18 - 2016

We had a really difficult day, once again ...dealing with Ivan's health.

He's been having nose bleeds but got good treatment and positive results for them from Dr Lastra more than a month ago. The treatment was working well, but since he got sick a week ago, he's been straining...blowing his nose and coughing. (he's using an estrogen cream that thickens the the lining of the nose which is too dry from the thermal water, sunshine and aging).  It seemed like a great idea and no doctor in Canada ever suggested that to me post menopause when I had nose bleeds! If only Canada and Mexico would combine their best cures, both countries would be better off.

He had a nose bleed this afternoon while in the CASA after blowing his nose too hard. We couldn't get it to stop bleeding, despite doing all the right things. 

I read everything online including eating ice cubes.I think his nasal passage was raw and his health low. We decided to go to the Hospital Urgencia only 5 minutes away,  as it seemed like a small problem they could easily solve. We've both had successful experiences there before.

Unfortunately, Ivan had a repeat performance of what I never witnessed in Canada. ( do you remember the story of the time Ivan collapsed and stopped breathing during his First Aid Course?  His teacher knew it wasn't a trick and did CPR then called an ambulance). (so I'm not blaming Mexico for this!!) Then Fernando called me and we drove to St Mary's.....by then they realized he had his BP meds changed and it caused a sudden drop in BP that caused him to collapse in the  Sechelt class. He had felt sick-ish before but didn't tell the First Aid teacher (Ivan's a collapser).

I didn't realize they decided to give him a SL pill under his tongue to lower his BP (which was not really that high and not the cause of the nose bleeds. His BP was fine in the casa and has been fine, his heart rate is faster than usual but not over the acceptable.  The drive along the gravel bumpy road while Ivan held kleenex to his nose was very likely a cause for further aggravation and slightly higher BP. I was filling out forms, medical Spanish talk was a bit too fast, and they were .

They also gave him an injection to help the blood coagulate. They put some medicine on gauze or something and stuffed them up each nostril. We started driving back to Roca Azul after paying the required $7.00 (the hospital is just at the end of the shortcut country road).

As I drove away from the hospital Ivan said he felt dizzy and sick, we both realized it was probably the SL pill causing a sudden drop in BP but figured it would pass. As I got close to Roca Azul he felt worse. He was no longer responding to me, he couldn't hear me even when I screamed his name. 

He was probably briefly unconscious. I made a UTURN and ambulanced him to Dr Nunez. It was really scary to see him fading away while I was speed driving to get help. By the time I reached the large road he "came to" a bit but was white, and looked terrible. He managed to walk into Nunez's clinic. Then he was in a terrible sweat,  & nearly slipped out of the wheelchair they put him in (he was so weak). 

They immediately gave him oxygen, and an IV drip. In about 20 minutes he started getting enough blood pressure to bring some colour back to his face and was comfortable in a simple small clinic hospital bed. He dozed off and on, but I could watch the colour come back to his upper body and face. What a relief!

Nunez did an EKG ...once again FINE.  His BP was coming back up. I spent 4 hours there while he snoozed and absorbed the IV rehydration, electolytes etc, which he needed. I crossed the street to Rochetta's and got some food (hadn't eaten since breakfast and my Spanish lesson). The nurse was sweet and conscientious.

Ivan was communicative and much much better within less than 2 hours, but glad they kept him for 4.5 hours.

By  6 PM he was feeling fine and anxious to get home.  Nunez said he had to stay to get the rest of the drip and speeded it up.

The nurse was nice and it was like I got two Spanish lessons today, except the second one lacked all the medical words I should acquire from a book on Kindle a friend here wrote. 

We left the clinic at about  7:30 PM and Ivan is already talking about swimming tomorrow but I think he needs to rest some more. He took the second gauze out of his nose and so far it's fine.

You never know what skills one needs in "Life with Ivan". 

He's happily tucked in and let's hope for some peace and serenity tomorrow.

Just another day in life in Jocotepec. At least medical service is faster.

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April 19

Great improvement. Ivan had a 40 minute swim and really enjoyed it. His health and energy is better and he is stable and slowly regaining enthusiasm.

Life is a roller coaster on any latitude!

I am throwing together a collection of other photos from this season. We are winding down, packing up, and preparing for the transition to Canada.

Ivan has been sick for the last week but is improving. It is always a sad time when we pack up, never knowing if this home of 8 years will be available again.

The owner expressed an interest in trying to fix it up, but sadly she has not been able to make the payments that would establish she is still the owner. So the limbo of our orphan house continues. But whatever happens we have enjoyed this little CASA despite its quirks and quarks for a very long time and feel very lucky.

So it keeps us living in the moment!

This year we are packing some items and storing them with friends. It will be a busy time by the last week.

The owner hopes to use the CASA, or have friends use it. So the wise thing is to ensure what we value is tucked away at our friend's homes nearby.

Ivan's 87th Birthday at Vive Mexico, April 8 - 2016



The garden is always spectacular by March and April!



Eirka, my neighbor, had been doing Spanish/English practice with me on Mondays. I wish we had started when I arrived. It's so helpful and encouraging.
Erika is such a sweet person and also a good teacher.



Finally I am making silk tops, and plan to do less silk scarves. The tops are easier to wrap and steam and more satisfying to create. I hope to create silk painted clothes once my Canadian studio is functioning!






Ivan took this photo of Marilyn at Vive Mexico during his upbeat Birthday gathering.




Bernadette and Alan invited us to a dinner and dance at the Raquet Club. It was really lovely to be there in the evening. There was a live band and folks moved to the music as the sunset and the palm fronds swayed. Even Ivan stepped up to a s slow dance! (the man who says he can't dance, CAN)  The view and sunset was dramatic.







The RC has been our oasis. We still feel like it's our little holiday each time we go for a swim, enjoy the TACOs made by the little man, and the apple turnovers that come warm out of the oven. It's rarely crowded and we love the ambiance, relaxation and tranquillity. Thank you Bernadette and Alan!


After Cristie left the house felt empty and odd. I was delighted to get a call from Livier as Bette was visiting from Texas. We all went for a walk on the Malecon. It now has wonderful Pre-hispanic sculptures, and is festive on a Friday or weekend. It was a great reunion. I've met some special people over the years in this little part of Mexico!
The fellow in the background snuck into the photo, guess he "had a few" but he was harmless and in good humour.




A day at the Chapala Market always means Pelicanos on the Lake. Cristie and I
did a wander through the Chapala Lake Park and Market and found some unique creations made locally ( lotions, beeswax salve etc)

Jan Ferrucci, another "preciosa" connection to Ivan visited in late March. He was like a surrogate dad to Jan 50 years ago or more!!

A special reunion, Ivan and Jan knew each other as Ivan looked after Jan from age 3-10 (something like that) and they have a strong familial connection from rural upper state New York. Jan lived on the farm where so many of Ivan's precious memories remain.




Jan arrived during our warmest weather so enjoyed watching the Hibiscus bloom. She discovered a cow trail beneath the Light House. We had a wonderful evening wander while the sunset over the lake and the cows meandered in the field.







We enjoyed swims at the Raquet Club, dining at Vive Mexico, a surprise visit to Marilyn's delightful charming home and garden, and just relaxing with the Mexican backdrop always present.




Marilyn revealed her extraordinary collection of glasses, including not just these funny sunglasses, but an array of every kind of eye glass she imagines needing. Lots of humour when Marilyn is in our presence:)

This season Ivan had two important visitors Cristie Roy from Denmark came first. They have known each other for almost 40 years and it was a wonderful reunion.

March 2016

Cristie was Inspirational, enthusiastic and enlivened our shared time. We went to the restaurant Vive Mexico  to enjoy Mexican food and Tango Aijijic for just delicious international food, visited the Puelbo Magica, Mazamitla, and had a tour of Marilyn's CASA. It was also a chance for Marta to offer her great healing skills. Cristie enjoyed about 4 massages during her 3 weeks stay. We also tackled a bit more Spanish language learning and did lovely wanders to the Lighthouse and the fields of exceptional birds beneath. My guests always open my eyes to new ideas, observations and experiences.

It was wonderful to see Cristie rejuvinate from her stressful life in Denmark, enjoy swimming and walking, birding and talking. She looked so much healthier and younger on the day she left.

It reminded me why I need to be here each winter!

I Started Painting Silk Earlier this Season, Still Experimenting and Playing with Colour

My time in Mexico allows me to explore all kinds of techniques in my indoor outdoor home and studio (not really mine). But this borrowed home is a terrific backdrop for creativity.  I've been experimenting with the use of Gutta to fence in colour. I also mixed alcohol and water with the dyes and found it created a lovely dreamy effect. The colours merge softly and it's easier to paint using the alcohol.
I also started painting silk spaghetti tops. Ivan created some templates I could use to stretch the silk on. I am very excited about doing less silk scarves (too common) and creating simple but elegant silk clothing.



I am quite excited about leaving silk scarves behind and finding ways to make charmeuse silk simple wear. My first successful tank tops were a step in a new direction.

Visit Number One to Mazamitla

Cristie and I joined Marilyn Hazen and friends and did a quick trip to Mazamitla, another Pueblo Magica at 7500 feet. It was a bit rushed, but enabled Cristie to see a different "Bosque" (forest) and a town that always feel fresh, cool and upbeat.











On the way home from Mazamitla, Marilyn showed us an upscale hotel in the very poor town of San Pedro (other side of Lake Chapala). I had no idea such a hotel existed on the waterfront. They offer a buffet on the weekends and the grounds were delightful. This bog supported more birdlife.

Catching Up - April 15- 2016 Roca Azul Year 8

This year I found it easier to use Facebook to post our activities and experiences. Now we have only 3 weeks left in Mexico and I am eager to put our memories in some kind of order.


Cristie found lovely places to walk beneath the light house in EL CLUB, We explored the shores of Lake Chapala enjoying gorgeous sunsets. Cristie did early morning bird walks, came back with enthusiasm and delight.




The gardens at the Lake Chapala Society are a wonderful oasis.  Ivan often reads under the cool trees, or enjoys a coffee in there small restaurant. Cristie and I explored the town of Ajijic.



At 86 (now 87) Ivan continues to swim 3 times a week. He has upped his time limit to 72 minutes, not sure why. But we enjoy three visits to the Racquet Club, a gorgeous setting with a terrific pool, view of lake and mountains, and often the Taco man makes us lunch after a long swim. Cristie and Jan enjoyed these outings. We are so grateful to Bernadette and Alan who have kindly provided us with a pass to the RC for 4 years. (Thank you)





Lots of time to "just be" and truly enjoy each other and our surroundings. It seems the simpler life is, the less stress we feel and the capacity to love and enjoy multiplies.