Play Book Tag discussion

August has arrived and while for many it means summer is nearly over, for me it is a reminder of several more weeks of awful hazy hot and humid NYC weather - which lasts well into September and these days October. Winter is still too far away!

I really posted a new Kaffeeklatsch not to whine about the weather or the August doldrums, but to alert everyone to a post today by LibraryCin on her Facebook page. Alas, her retina has detached again. This is the 4th time. She's going to be MIA again - not on the computer at all.

It was all going so well, her last check up -- only a week or so ago -- was good. It has to be absolutely devastating.

For those participating in Play Harder and The Compass, let's each make sure to post those books to the bookshelves set up for them. And make a note in your posts to Play Harder Shelving and The Compass review that you have posted it to the bookshelves.

Let's help out Cindy and the other admins as much as we can on that.

Cindy - sending you healing, strength, and optimism!

So sorry to hear this about Cindy! Anything affecting the eyes is a huge fear for us readers.

In the Upper Midwest, the weather usually breaks in August, so that although days may still be hot, the nights are generally cooler. Sadly some of the recent days with nice temperatures also had Air Quality warnings.

Thanks for letting us know about Cindy. She must be so discouraged!

Cindy, I hope someone can read the messages to you. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You’ve gone through so much already, and I know it will require hard adjustments. The good news is that there are more accommodation methods than ever before. I hope you will be back with us soon. I’ve been preparing myself, and I found this book helpful. The Country of the Blind: A Memoir at the End of Sight

Poor Cindy. I didn't see that post yet so thanks for letting us know. I can help with the play harder and compass shelving while she's out since I did it before.

I'm so sorry to hear about Cindy. She has had such bad luck with her retina. I usually always shelve my books but I'm happy to help out wherever I might be needed.

It's been miserable in Phoenix......117° tomorrow and 116° Thursday. We are currently in Santa Fe, New Mexico for a week and then another week in Flagstaff. It’s been in the mid-80s which is practically balmy compared to Arizona. The nice thing about both these cities is the high elevation makes for cool evenings. We got Stanley a console carseat so he had the most comfortable ride.

I usually have nothing interesting to report but I'm getting my kitchen remodeled later this month. I've been saving for about five years so I'm really excited. I'm not looking forward to the mess and no usable kitchen for about three weeks. But I'm looking forward to seeing the old cabinets and countertops wave goodbye.

Take care everyone and stay cool.

I hope the remodel will go smoothly, OM. When we bought our house, I hated the 1970s kitchen. The floor was a hideous yellow print, as were the countertops, and there were dark cabinets. I lived with it for nearly 8 years until we could afford to remodel it. I ended up getting everything I wanted, and it is still my favorite room in the house. They took less than 3 weeks to finish - I hope that happens for you! Let us know when you sit down for your first private moment there, and we can have the Kaffeeklatsch there with you!

Olivermagnus wrote: "I'm so sorry to hear about Cindy. She has had such bad luck with her retina. I usually always shelve my books but I'm happy to help out wherever I might be needed.

It's been miserable in Phoenix....."

We almost overlapped in Santa Fe! I'll be there from August 24 to September 1 - mostly dealing with an estate I'm settling. Temps sound like the way NYC is this week though the 90+ temps return next week. I hope you are having a wonderful time.

The only time I've been in Flagstaff was at their tiny airport for a couple of hours - and the absolutely stunning quilt exhibition they had there.

Wishing you much good luck with your kitchen reno. Maybe this is an opportunity to try a few restaurants you have been meaning to enjoy. Put a microwave and tea/coffee maker in the living room with a stack of paper plates, cups and plasticware, maybe rent one of those small fridges students use as well, and just pretend this is normal. In NYC we just live on delivery, when work is happening in the kitchen - and even when it isn't, LOL.

Definitely have fun with it! I agree with JoAnne - when it's done, let's have a 'KaffeKlatsch' there!

The worst part of kitchen remodeling is packing up all the stuff! Good luck, Lynda. And I agree that once the remodeling is done we should have KaffeKlatsch there!

This year has been a tough one for me ... what with the move and now planning for shoulder replacement surgery. But nothing compared to Cindy's journey with detached retina (multiple times).

Praying for you Cindy ... we'll pitch in to handle as much shelving as possible in your absence. Take care of yourself.

I can't believe I was so close to meeting you, Theresa. I know that even though you will be working, you'll find some to enjoy the fantastic views and equally fantastic food.

Book Concierge wrote: "The worst part of kitchen remodeling is packing up all the stuff! Good luck, Lynda. And I agree that once the remodeling is done we should have KaffeKlatsch there!

This year has been a tough one f..."

I am so not looking forward to that, but I know I have a bunch of stuff in those upper cabinets I haven't touched in eleven years. Good tme to get rid of some of it.

Good luck on your shoulder surgery. My neighbor just had it done and she is so much happier now.

Updated posted by Cindy on FB (with help of a friend):

Surgery to reattach happened and went well. The oil was used again this time and will likely be there for a year but strong optimistic Cindy said that's fine as long as it works!

She's got to keep face down, not read, etc. for at least 2 weeks.

Hang in there Cindy. It's going to work this time...

Good vibes coming your way Cindy!

Theresa wrote: "Updated posted by Cindy on FB (with help of a friend):

Surgery to reattach happened and went well. The oil was used again this time and will likely be there for a year but strong optimistic Cindy..."

The oil will be there for a year, which is a long time, but I'm guessing some people take longer to heal from this. Ideally all goes well this time!

It must be tough because she lives alone. I hope she has someone to help her with the cats and other daily tasks!

Thanks for the Cindy update, Theresa. She's active in a couple of my groups over at Library Thing so I posted the information over there.

Olivermagnus wrote: "Thanks for the Cindy update, Theresa. She's active in a couple of my groups over at Library Thing so I posted the information over there."

Good idea, Lynda. I checked the couple of groups I'm in with her on LT and also posted a quick update.

That is an excellent idea, Lynda and Tessa!

Thank you for the well wishes, everyone! I can be reading and back online again, but I'm to go slowly (again).

Yes, it's discouraging, frustrating, annoying, and scary. I will add, about the oil, that it could be longer than a year, even. Even so, if it helps hold things in place, that's ok. It's easier to see through than the gas, though distorted.

I have been given an additional option (that I would pay for, as it's not "standard", but the surgeon I had this time said he suggests it for more complicated cases and multiple detachments). It's an injection in my eye (super-scary, I know!!! But so is losing my sight, even in just the one eye) three times about a month apart each time. It's injecting a medication in there. I don't have my info sheet on it in front of me now, but I can quote from it later to explain what it is that might be causing the multiple re-detachments and how this medication is meant to help.

So great to see you online again, Cindy! We are all wishing you a real recovery.

Great to have you back even if in a limited way.

I have known a diabetic with retinal problems get those injections regularly (a couple times a year) and they really did help, for years. Though she always said the actual shot in the eye was awful. Hers was covered under insurance, but then that was in US and I think only after she was on Medicare with a supplemental plan.

Keep the optimism!

Thank you both! Good to know they were helpful to your friend (though I'm still dreading the actual shots!).

Yes, if my regular insurance won't cover it, I'm sure my "health spending account" will, so it still won't likely come out of my pocket (though with everything going on, I used up my entire health spending account for "last year" (our benefits go July 1-June 30, so at least it has now been reset)).

Welcome back Cindy!

Just to pipe up about the eye injections.......I had some issues after my cataract surgery and needed some injections to get rid of double vision. They put numbing drops in several times, so when they did the injection, I only felt a slight pressure. I know my eye was wide open, but I don't remember seeing the needle come toward my eye. That was what was freaking me out when I found out I needed them. The second time they did it, I wasn't scared at all.

LibraryCin wrote: "Thank you both! Good to know they were helpful to your friend (though I'm still dreading the actual shots!).

Yes, if my regular insurance won't cover it, I'm sure my "health spending account" wil..."

Yes, it could be well worth keeping the sight in that eye to get those injections!

Olivermagnus wrote: "Just to pipe up about the eye injections.......I had some issues after my cataract surgery and needed some injections to get rid of double vision. They put numbing drops in several times, so when t..."

Thank you for this! This is similar to what the nurse (technician?) told me when I had a brief discussion with her after. I've also heard/read other things, so I'm happy to hear from someone I know that this is more similar to what I was told!

Karin wrote: "Yes, it could be well worth keeping the sight in that eye to get those injections!..."

That is pretty much what I'm thinking at this point.