You read it right. My kids know what I'm talkin' 'bout. In this house clean sheets are put on beds every Tuesday. When the kids were growing up every day held it's own meaning. Each day had an assignment. Monday: back to school day. Tuesday: strip the bed day. Wednesday: hump day. Thursday: grocery shopping day. Friday: TGIF.
And so. Today last week's sheets are in the dryer and the clean sheets are sitting on the bed waiting to be applied. Clean towels are in the bathrooms.
It is a good day. I swam 15 laps at the Y this morning. I am going to meet some girlfriends for lunch. Then I plan to be worn out for the rest of the day. I bought fresh eggs this morning. I think there will be some sort of eggs served for supper tonight. Cheesy eggs with salsa. Maybe?
I sat on the back porch this morning and just absorbed the good air. Distant vehicles and birds were all I heard. I have plans to purchase some new pieces of furniture from Lowe's this week. I clipped a picture from a late spring ad that Lowe's ran. Knowing that end of summer sales might make me decide to buy. I have held on to the clipped ad and looked at it all summer. It was originally way too pricey for me. Well, the set is at 1/2 price. I'll let you know...might even post a picture. If it comes home with me soon.
I rediscovered two summer shirts yesterday. I haven't bought any clothes this summer. Mostly because I haven't felt good enough to shop. It was good to find the two items that I haven't worn this season, yet. I have a couple of crochet projects that are on hold until I feel like shopping for the need yarn.
One week from today = first miracle shot. Keep your fingers crossed!
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Sunday, not much fun day.
The dreaded stomach bug hit me with a vengeance on Friday night. It knocked me down for the count. It was sudden and powerful. It made me so dizzy that I had to lay on the floor for the better part of Friday evening. When Mr. Macho had gotten home from work I was fine. We talked about picking up some sandwiches for supper and maybe watching a movie. Mr. Macho left for the gym to work out. Things changed abruptly. Before I knew what was happening I was getting sick in the bathroom and could hardly function. It felt like I was looking through a kaleidoscope - things spinning very fast. I managed to get the phone and a phone book and called over to the Y. I think I may have scared the girl that answered the phone. I just told her who I was and that I wasn't feeling well and I needed for him to come home. I really thought something was wrong because it hit so hard and so fast.
I couldn't take any of the pain meds/muscle relaxers that I have been taking for the back/leg issues on Friday night and most of Saturday. I was much better when I woke up Saturday morning but had no appetite until late in the day. Finally ate some supper and then could take the meds. Needless to say, today is lots better than yesterday.
Due to the bug - my seeking adventure was curtailed. Mr. Macho helped me grocery shop this morning. I really appreciated that. Now I just have to make through three physical therapies and another week + two days and I will get the first epidural shot for my back. I am banking on that being completely successful.
On the way to the grocery shopping this morning we passed the new Hobby Lobby store that is about to open. I. Can. Hardly. Wait! Right here in my very own town. This will be my happy thought that gets me through the week.
I did veer from the norm today and we ate fried chicken for brunch. Grocery store fried chicken. It was good and not greasy. We each bought a small container of ice cream at the store and we both enjoyed that for snack. I picked moose track ice cream. He selected natural chocolate. I am surprised he didn't pick vanilla. Natural chocolate is like way out there, for him.
I am going to dive into this week like I own it.
I couldn't take any of the pain meds/muscle relaxers that I have been taking for the back/leg issues on Friday night and most of Saturday. I was much better when I woke up Saturday morning but had no appetite until late in the day. Finally ate some supper and then could take the meds. Needless to say, today is lots better than yesterday.
Due to the bug - my seeking adventure was curtailed. Mr. Macho helped me grocery shop this morning. I really appreciated that. Now I just have to make through three physical therapies and another week + two days and I will get the first epidural shot for my back. I am banking on that being completely successful.
On the way to the grocery shopping this morning we passed the new Hobby Lobby store that is about to open. I. Can. Hardly. Wait! Right here in my very own town. This will be my happy thought that gets me through the week.
I did veer from the norm today and we ate fried chicken for brunch. Grocery store fried chicken. It was good and not greasy. We each bought a small container of ice cream at the store and we both enjoyed that for snack. I picked moose track ice cream. He selected natural chocolate. I am surprised he didn't pick vanilla. Natural chocolate is like way out there, for him.
I am going to dive into this week like I own it.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Torture chamber.
Geez. It has been a rough week. After the physical therapy on Monday my right side pain grew intolerable. And. My leg and foot got numb. And have stayed numb for the better part of the week. Yesterday I had the PT in the afternoon. A different therapist worked my right side until my ears and head were ringing, I broke out in a sweat, and my glasses fogged up. I produced a low moan throughout her manipulations. It. Was. Grueling. When she worked on my back she said I had "baso motor response" - I asked her to repeat it 3 or 4 times so I would remember it. But. I now think she was saying "vasomotor response". When she began massaging the back area my skin quickly became red and warm. It means the muscles were extremely tight.
I feel like it is a bit of a vicious cycle. I am compensating for the pain and adjusting the way I stand and walk. And because of the adjusting it causes more pain. Which came first? The chicken or the egg? I don't know. Was I so off balance to begin with and that caused the disc to bulge? If horses wear shoes, do they wear socks? (A movie reference for my children. Ten points if you can name the movie.)
I am slightly better this morning. I think the therapist helped. And. I got better pain meds. The combination is making it a little less painful to put weight on the right foot. I slept better, too. Still don't think I am up to doing any long standing. If I am feeling okay I might run up to the Piggly Wiggly today for apples and milk. Walmart is out. Mr. Macho offered to take me and let me ride the scooter at the Walmart. No thank you. I would feel weird doing that. I think people would look at me funny. I don't look like I need to be riding a scooter. Do I? Only when I walk.
We woke to temps in the 60's this morning. Heaven sent. Almost August - in the deep south! It is delicious to sit on the back porch with these temps. The weekend holds promise. Mr. Macho will spend hours cutting his Dad's grass. I think I am going to cook some ribs in my roaster. Will have to do a little research and find some good movies to watch. Am reading an interesting book - "The Fall of the House of Zeus" by Curtis Wilkie. Nonfiction.
Will let you know what adventures we find.
Peace out.
I feel like it is a bit of a vicious cycle. I am compensating for the pain and adjusting the way I stand and walk. And because of the adjusting it causes more pain. Which came first? The chicken or the egg? I don't know. Was I so off balance to begin with and that caused the disc to bulge? If horses wear shoes, do they wear socks? (A movie reference for my children. Ten points if you can name the movie.)
I am slightly better this morning. I think the therapist helped. And. I got better pain meds. The combination is making it a little less painful to put weight on the right foot. I slept better, too. Still don't think I am up to doing any long standing. If I am feeling okay I might run up to the Piggly Wiggly today for apples and milk. Walmart is out. Mr. Macho offered to take me and let me ride the scooter at the Walmart. No thank you. I would feel weird doing that. I think people would look at me funny. I don't look like I need to be riding a scooter. Do I? Only when I walk.
We woke to temps in the 60's this morning. Heaven sent. Almost August - in the deep south! It is delicious to sit on the back porch with these temps. The weekend holds promise. Mr. Macho will spend hours cutting his Dad's grass. I think I am going to cook some ribs in my roaster. Will have to do a little research and find some good movies to watch. Am reading an interesting book - "The Fall of the House of Zeus" by Curtis Wilkie. Nonfiction.
Will let you know what adventures we find.
Peace out.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Lazy Sunday.
Time. It is what I have plenty of right now. And I am wasting lots of it. Doing nothing. Thanks alot to my back.
MRI results last Monday were no surprise: bulging disc plus arthritis add up to a pinched sciatic nerve. Physical therapy started Monday. It. Is. Torture. Two of the days I have come off the table so light headed. I don't know if it is from the pain or the fact that I may be hyperventilating trying to breath through the pain.
A series of three epidural spinal steroid shots will start August 5, with two week intervals between shots. Three weeks to wait for the first shot seemed like an eternity. Now it is down to almost two weeks. Please let them go quickly.
My life seems to be on hold. Social activities are zero. Our dancing lessons are out. Shopping, even of the grocery variety, are relegated to very short trips. Exercising is sporadic. But. My reading is at an all time high. One book right after another.
***
And now it is Monday. Didn't post yet because I wasn't finished and I thought everything I wrote yesterday sounded boring and whiny. So I just saved it until this morning thinking that I might delete it since mornings are most always better than evenings in this little part of my adventure journey. I won't delete for the sake of full disclosure.
Good things right now:
1. The weather has been unusually awesome for about a week now. In the 60's when we wake up and not past the 80's for highs. It won't last, but it has been wonder-full.
2. Getting out of bed is slightly less painful. I have taken to setting the breakfast table, putting out the cereal, and getting the coffee ready the night before.
3. I am walking straighter.
4. I can do hard things.
5. Love wins.
Yes. I stole the last two things from Glennon Doyle Melton. I read her book and check her blog out now and then. It perks me up no end to just say those two things. So I do. You can steal them from me, if you want to.
Today I hope to do something that makes me feel like a rock star. Perhaps I will finish PT and not feel like passing out. Maybe I will wash and fold a load of clothes easily. If I dust the baseboards in one room, I will rock out!! Probably won't be all three, though.
Small things. Being nice. That is where I find my groove.
Rock on people.
Be sweet.
MRI results last Monday were no surprise: bulging disc plus arthritis add up to a pinched sciatic nerve. Physical therapy started Monday. It. Is. Torture. Two of the days I have come off the table so light headed. I don't know if it is from the pain or the fact that I may be hyperventilating trying to breath through the pain.
A series of three epidural spinal steroid shots will start August 5, with two week intervals between shots. Three weeks to wait for the first shot seemed like an eternity. Now it is down to almost two weeks. Please let them go quickly.
My life seems to be on hold. Social activities are zero. Our dancing lessons are out. Shopping, even of the grocery variety, are relegated to very short trips. Exercising is sporadic. But. My reading is at an all time high. One book right after another.
***
And now it is Monday. Didn't post yet because I wasn't finished and I thought everything I wrote yesterday sounded boring and whiny. So I just saved it until this morning thinking that I might delete it since mornings are most always better than evenings in this little part of my adventure journey. I won't delete for the sake of full disclosure.
Good things right now:
1. The weather has been unusually awesome for about a week now. In the 60's when we wake up and not past the 80's for highs. It won't last, but it has been wonder-full.
2. Getting out of bed is slightly less painful. I have taken to setting the breakfast table, putting out the cereal, and getting the coffee ready the night before.
3. I am walking straighter.
4. I can do hard things.
5. Love wins.
Yes. I stole the last two things from Glennon Doyle Melton. I read her book and check her blog out now and then. It perks me up no end to just say those two things. So I do. You can steal them from me, if you want to.
Today I hope to do something that makes me feel like a rock star. Perhaps I will finish PT and not feel like passing out. Maybe I will wash and fold a load of clothes easily. If I dust the baseboards in one room, I will rock out!! Probably won't be all three, though.
Small things. Being nice. That is where I find my groove.
Rock on people.
Be sweet.
Saturday, July 12, 2014
My rating system.
Tough days this week. Long week and a half waiting for MRI results. Could have opted for the narcotic route to resolve some of the pain. But hey. I had a very important Beach Boys concert to attend last night. I couldn't risk a narcotic stupor. And enjoy the concert, I did. It was great old music that is oh-so-familiar to all of us. Much gray haired geezers in attendance. And. They can still rock out! Hawaiian shirts and leis in abundance. And. John Stamos! John Stamos? - you say...Full House from the '80's? Does the yogurt commercial? Hello! John Stamos! He rocked. And rolled. And was good at it.
Now. For those of you who insist on asking how I'm doing. Basically, I am so tired of thinking/talking/dealing with this back and pain stuff. So. If you ask, I will give one of the following answers:
1. Bad day = terrific pain
2. Okay = I am dealing with the pain
3. Fine = the pain is less today than it has been in the last 3 months.
I am every hopeful that soon I can add #4. I feel good today.
That is my current rating system. Memorize it. That's all folks.
***
Thawing out some chicken wangs for supper. Ain't no thing like a chicken wing. Got to run Goggle Zoe's cole slaw recipe. Pure - D yum!
*****
I'm pickin' up good vibrations!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Senior discount!
Today our YMCA fees were due. And. Since Mr. Macho has reached the ripe old age of 6-0, we got the senior discount. Can I get a 'what-what'?! That is the good part of getting older. This back 'thang' is the bad part. Still have some troubles...only it has jumped to my right side. Left side is still hurting, as evidenced by the shooting pain in my left calf. But now the left side pain is minimized by the burning hurt in the right side. All things are relative.
Today I reduced the naproxen to the prescribed dosage (instead of the double dose I have been taking for over a week). I took the two muscle relaxing meds the P.A. prescribed...and then I went for a swim at the Y. I did 14 or 15 laps. I lost count. It felt good. I did try to do the crawl stroke and had a little pain in the left calf (which radiates from the left glute)...but not enough to stop me. Mostly I did the breast and inverted breast stroke. I feel all warmed up and buff now.
Hoping to make it to the Walmart this morning to pick up a few items. Dancing class will have to be deferred again. I just can't do dancing right now. It makes me sad. I love the dancing and I miss our dancing friends. Boo. Hoo.
Beach Boy is now living on the coast. He and his family spent the night here Saturday night and packed up their cars and left yesterday morning. They are going to have a great time living there.
I need to run get a shower. Wash off the swimming pool.
Be sweet.
Today I reduced the naproxen to the prescribed dosage (instead of the double dose I have been taking for over a week). I took the two muscle relaxing meds the P.A. prescribed...and then I went for a swim at the Y. I did 14 or 15 laps. I lost count. It felt good. I did try to do the crawl stroke and had a little pain in the left calf (which radiates from the left glute)...but not enough to stop me. Mostly I did the breast and inverted breast stroke. I feel all warmed up and buff now.
Hoping to make it to the Walmart this morning to pick up a few items. Dancing class will have to be deferred again. I just can't do dancing right now. It makes me sad. I love the dancing and I miss our dancing friends. Boo. Hoo.
Beach Boy is now living on the coast. He and his family spent the night here Saturday night and packed up their cars and left yesterday morning. They are going to have a great time living there.
I need to run get a shower. Wash off the swimming pool.
Be sweet.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
The skinny....
Okay. So here it is. I visited with the physician's assistant at the local orthopedic office Monday. After they took the x-rays here is what he said: arthritis in lumbar region of my back and sciatic nerve issues. Duh. I knew that. Only I though my arthritis was just the normal 57 year old backs. Not the case. It appears that my arthritis is more advanced than the average 57 year old. (Boy am I proud.) I mean, here is something I can brag about....mine is worse than average!
Then. That office scheduled an MRI for today. I was all, "You don't know my insurance company! Two years ago they wanted me to wait 8 weeks for approval when I had this nasty little breast lump." I guess everything was approved because here I sit post-MRI typing out this all absorbing information on this little blog spot.
The MRI was not as horrifically scary as I thought it would be. I can tend to be slightly claustrophobic. So I just shut my eyes and let the technician, Robert, put the headphones on me. Tuned into the oldies station and kept my eyes closed the en-tire time I was in the tube. Yes. I said tube. Worst part: keeping still while my back and leg were excruciating. Every second I thought I would have to adjust myself. I tried to conjure any relaxing thoughts that were out there. And. Then it was over. I got to wear really cool XXL paper clothes for the MRI. Tres' chic.
I changed. Limped out to my car. Laid my head on the steering wheel until my breathing returned to normal. Drove home. Mr. Macho is at the gym. I am about to look for one more ounce of energy so I can put together the reuben sandwiches for supper.
Just another day in the life.
Be sweet.
Then. That office scheduled an MRI for today. I was all, "You don't know my insurance company! Two years ago they wanted me to wait 8 weeks for approval when I had this nasty little breast lump." I guess everything was approved because here I sit post-MRI typing out this all absorbing information on this little blog spot.
The MRI was not as horrifically scary as I thought it would be. I can tend to be slightly claustrophobic. So I just shut my eyes and let the technician, Robert, put the headphones on me. Tuned into the oldies station and kept my eyes closed the en-tire time I was in the tube. Yes. I said tube. Worst part: keeping still while my back and leg were excruciating. Every second I thought I would have to adjust myself. I tried to conjure any relaxing thoughts that were out there. And. Then it was over. I got to wear really cool XXL paper clothes for the MRI. Tres' chic.
I changed. Limped out to my car. Laid my head on the steering wheel until my breathing returned to normal. Drove home. Mr. Macho is at the gym. I am about to look for one more ounce of energy so I can put together the reuben sandwiches for supper.
Just another day in the life.
Be sweet.
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