Not Quite Done Braggin'

Had my first post-op Dr.'s appointment yesterday afternoon. I was feeling very good about my progress, but you know how Doctors can be. I went in with tempered enthusiasm for what I believed to be remarkable progress. I am extremely happy to report that my enthusiasm was not misplaced! I am a medical miracle! Ok, that might be a slight overstatement, but I'm pretty dad-gummed good.

The Dr., first of all, complimented his handiwork by bragging about my incision. I was glued shut, not stapled,so the wound looks really nice. I reminded him that it was my knee, my skin, and my fantastic healing ability that is making him look good....and what kind of discount do I get for that? No surprise, no discount!

I did my best strut around the room for him so he could see my knee bend. I passed that with flying colors, too. So, my reward?? No crutches!!! I can navigate around the house without benefit of crutches. I am to use one crutch or a cane when I go out and about, at least for the next two weeks. Dr. Was very impressed with the angle of bend I have achieved in only two weeks. So much so, that I will be requiring no further physical therapy! I am to continue everything I have been doing, and add other exercises as I feel stronger.

One small downer....no driving until after the first of the year. Guess my friends will be getting bigger Christmas gifts as bribes to schlep me around a little while linger.

Ok, I am now officially done bragging about my amazing recovery.....at least for now! :)

Up And At 'Em

I have returned to the blogosphere! Would have dropped by much sooner, but being techno challenged, I could not work my new toy. Hubby Dearest got me an iPad so I wouldn't have to negotiate an extra set of stairs to use the computer. Try as I might, I simply could not get the body of the blog written. Many tries, and many false starts later, here I am! Nonidea if, and/or when I might return.

My surgery was a rousing success,and I think I am doing splendidly. The shot I had to give myself turned out to be a piece if cake....and no, a longer needle was not needed to penetrate my additional roll of fat. Thank goodness. I go to the Dr. Tomorrow for the first time since the surgery, so I'll get a professional opinion on just what a fine example I am as a patient. I anticipate kudos all around.

I have had very little pain, very little pain medication, and feel I'm doing great. I do have occasional stiffness in the knee after overdoing the exercises I've been given, but nothing unbearable. All in all, I have to say I am looking forward to many years of pain free walking, golfing, exercising, and playing with my grandchildren.

The being waited on hand and foot portion of this event ain't so bad, either. :)

Shocking, Just Shocking!!

Yep, shock of shocks, I am posting yet again. It will be just like most of my other posts, random and imparting nothing of note. However, I find myself with a bit of time on my hands, so I thought I'd sneak in a post today. Don't get excited, I don't have much to say. :)

I had my pre-op "class" yesterday. It was semi-informative. Much of the info was the same as when I had my other knee replaced five years ago. However, there were some new twists since my last foray into surgery. This particular orthopedic department believes in pain meds by the pound!! I'm not at all sure I'm totally on board with that. Before I'm even undressed I will be given an Oxycontin, Tylenol, and some other pain pill/relaxant I'd never heard of. Hope I can get undressed and into my hospital garb before I pass out.

The rules for post op are much tougher, but they mentioned nothing about physical therapy. That was the most important part of my recovery last time. I asked about that and was told they would discuss therapy with me after the surgery. Wish I had a little more info on that. The newest thing, and one I'm lukewarm about, is that instead of the Coumadin I took post op last time, I'm going home with 7 pre-loaded syringes of Lovenox (sp?) that I have to inject into my stomach once a day. Doesn't that sound like a laugh a minute? Hope the needle is long enough to penetrate the blubber that resides there. :)

I just noticed that I have no spell check for this post, and the font is different. What the hell happened while I was sleeping? I don't get it. So, while I think I've spelled things pretty well, I'm not certain. Wonder what else will change while I'm recooperating? Hope I still have an account upon my return.

Once again....Happy Thanksgiving to all, and safe travels.

Yes, I'm Still Here!

After what seems like a long absence, I have rejoined the blogosphere. Nothing was wrong, I was not sick, and I wasn't being bad....I was being lazy. Well, that, and I'm trying to get everything in order for Thanksgiving, the last tailgate of the year and have the house in order for after my surgery. Needless to say, I'm anxiously awaiting Nov. 29 and my new knee.

I have my pre-op walk through this Thursday, and my physical on Monday. I should be all set to go. I'll be delighted to have my mobility restored. I have been trying to keep up with exercise and proper diet. I have to say, I'm doing ok in both regards. I'm not a shining star, by any means, but I've done pretty well.

A friend of mine recently broke her right foot, and is not allowed to drive, so I'm trying to accumulate brownie points by chauffeuring her around these last few days before I no longer can drive. Then, hopefully, she'll be able to take over. I'll be wheel-less for about 4 weeks. Certainly didn't wish an injury on her, but at least we can help each other out. Handy for me, not so great for her.

I must now take a moment to brag on The Primary Child. As a teacher, he doesn't have lots of time off, but he is going to take a personal day after my surgery to drive 2 hrs. one way to come help me out if needed. I thought that was a lovely gesture. I'm quite certain The Perfect Child would fly in from Phoenix if necessary. I got me some terrific kids!! Even Hubby Dearest surprised me by taking the entire week off after my surgery. Didn't see that comin'. I figured an hour here, an hour there....color me shocked. What a guy!!

Thank goodness the new Trader Joe's opened here before I was temporarily incapacitated. I have enjoyed my forays into the new store. I can now make shopping lists for all my favorite places and I'm sure HD will be happy to fulfill my every whim. For one who absolutely hates grocery shopping, his efforts will probably be less than enthusiastic. Poor guy. But if he wants to eat, he'll adapt.

I am able to read blogs on my Crackberry, so I'll be in and out of the blogs while I'm hobbled. I haven't found a good way to comment or post on my phone, so I may be silent, but I'll be checking up on everyone.

I'll check back in on the flip side of surgery. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. For those who are travelling, please travel safely. The very best to everyone. "See" you soon!!!

Mental Check Up

I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I may need. I've had insomnia lately (nothing new), but my thoughts have been turning to what it is going to take for me to have the defining "AHA Moment"? I've had minor moments, and pay attention.....for a while. While lying awake at night this week, I've come up with a myriad of great reasons to get my act together once and for all.

A few months ago, I realized my children have never seen me in any other state than fatness. That should have done it, right? It did, for a while. Since then, I've thought about having some sort of accident that would require EMT's to lift me onto a gurney. Could they do it? Yes, I'm sure they could, but it would be embarrassing, I'm sure. I am not fixated, by any means, on having any accidents or health problems, but I'm just considering the problems that could possibly arise as I age. Last night's thought for the night was about my post op recovery. What if, after getting my new knee, I still have the sciatica and hip pain? What if it wasn't just a result of the odd walking gait I now employ? I've been told it is, but maybe the weight has played a part as well. Along with that, what if I cause the health insurance rates we pay to go up due to my inability to keep my blood pressure and cholesterol under control. I do have them in very good shape, so it is not an immediate concern.....but at 3:30 in the morning, it's something I ponder. My new concern this morning is flying. I love to fly, but what if pretty soon I have to ask for the seat belt extension? A lady across the aisle from me on one flight had to ask, and I could sense her embarrassment. I don't want to be that woman. I want to travel, and be able to do so comfortably.

Any of these moments, taken by themselves, should be a call to action. So, why is it that I remain half-assed in my efforts? I am lightening up and improving our eating habits, but that alone, ain't gonna do it. I can do easy exercise, which I do, but not enough to be considered a cardio workout. I guess my best effort has been in changing our diet. We eat healthier, lighter meals, and we do watch the calories, but I know that alone isn't going to make a huge difference. I have pledged to include more grains and legumes, for fiber, in our winter diet. I am hoping that's gonna move me to action. (Not the kind you're thinking of when you hear "fiber".)

AHA!! I am hoping against hope, this is it!!!

Nothing of Note

Just exactly as the title suggests, nothing good or bad is happening around these here parts. In a way that's good, but in other ways, disappointing. I have had some relief in both the sciatica and knee departments, so that is the good news. However, my increased exercise and mindful eating have not yielded quite the success I'd hoped for. I had some "flu" bug or another on Saturday evening thru Sunday, so I did lose weight thanks to that. Of course, when I re-hydrated, my wonderful loss was suddenly not quite as wonderful. However, I did lose 5.6#, and believe me, I'm perfectly ok with that.

I find that each day my energy increases, and my sciatic nerve pain lessens a bit. I still go to the chiro regularly, but I'm stretching the time between appointments each week. Even better, I've been able to play golf....adding to my exercise this week. Once again, I'm beginning to be satisfied with baby steps at this time.

My next cortisone shot is coming up in a week or two, so I'm hoping that some relief will be forthcoming. Easier walking should, theoretically, lead to lessening of the pressure on my sciatic nerve. At least that is what both the chiro and the orthopod tell me. Since at the time of my last shot, the sciatica was minimal, I'm awaiting that relief in that department.

I do have to confess a funny mistake I made last Saturday. It was football Saturday, and we were going to the game. In order to be ready for the long walk, I put on my knee brace early. Laced it up, buckled it, and off we go. About an hour away from the stadium, I realize I have put the brace on the wrong knee!! This required a trip to the restroom in our parking lot, and a bit of maneuvering to get it on the right knee....literally the right knee. Felt a bit silly, but everyone enjoyed a good laugh. I may have to use a magic marker now to make sure I'm hitching up the right side.

I Love My Postal Worker!

Well, not in the literal sense, but figuratively, anyway. Yesterday, my new blogger friend, Spunky Suzi sent me a package of delicious bars....my favorite postal worker delivered them! I simply could not resist trying just one right then and there. I chose a coconut and mango (she had me at MANGO) bar. It was lovely, even tho' I am not a huge coconut fan, I enjoyed this bar. After looking at my goody package, it occurred to me that I had won a give away a while back. This little goody bag arrived just at the right time!! I am feeling a bit better, and have begun exercising more, so a mid-day snack that is healthy will be a wonderful treat. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Suzi. I'm really anxious to try the Macadamia Nut Butter. That sounds delicious.

We have begun the tailgating season around these here parts. I am still trying to include a healthy alternative to some of the usual tailgate culprits. If I don't mention that a certain dish is healthy, it goes just as fast as the ribs, brisket and cheese corn bake. This week's switcheroo is a healthy mac 'n cheese. It came from a Taste of Home Healthy Eating cookbook, and is quite delicious. Made with healthy pasta (which coincidentally comes in the shape of the letter "N" for Nebraska) no one will know it's a lower fat, lower calorie version of the usual fat laden dish. I am also including a smoked turkey breast as well. I think I'm all set. I made a few changes last year, and they went over well, so I'm expanding this year. I've heard that many of our tailgate participants are trying to improve their eating habits, so I feel it my duty to assist them in this endeavor.....all the while really making it work for me!!

Knock, Knock...

That is the sound of my knuckles meeting the desktop. Not that I'm overly superstitious, but just in case, I'm taking no chances. After 4 days of being miserable, and still trying to do the new stretches my chiro gave me, I had shown no relief in the sciatica. Then this morning, after a fairly miserable night, I awoke to the least amount of pain I've had is weeks and weeks!!! Instead of having to sit down on an ice bag for 45 min. to an hour before I could get anything done, I was ready to go in only 15 min.!!!! Hip, Hip, Hurray! I got right after the stretches, and began to graduate to a few leg lifts, and sit ups. Weights came later, but I did get a few done. No outdoor walk today, it's raining again. Baby steps.

I hesitate to get too excited and overdo, but I am feeling heartened by the little progress I'm currently enjoying. Now, I'm going to have to get my cooking and eating under control. I've felt so lousy lately, that I've not been good about food preparation, at all. Whatever I can throw together is what we end up with. Not good at all. In all honesty, there have been a few too many trips to a fast food joints, too. If this pain relief is the real deal, I'm anxious to get back and get crackin' on my new plan for more soups, and for using more grains and legumes.

Tomorrow is the last regular delivery for our CSA produce, but this year, I wised up and extended our share for the fall. I love the squash and fall veggies, so we decided to pony up and get the extended share. That will begin next week. Last week's box brought a little "Carnival" squash, and this week it should be ready to eat. I've been busy dehydrating chili peppers and making chili powder for soups this winter. I just finished a batch of tomatoes that I dehydrate and use as snack chips. I'm going thru all the right motions, I've just been terribly remiss in putting the right things into action.

I've also found, by stepping on the scales this morning, that I have not been maintaining my weight, as I thought I had. With little or no exercise, and a diet of junk and crap (sadly).... imagine my surprise when my scales showed a gain!!! Not as bad as it certainly could have been, but more than I'd like to have seen. I even modified my calorie intake to compensate for the lack of exercise, but then it just all went to hell, and off the wagon I tumbled. I'm reaching for the reins right now, trying to gain control of my wagon, so hopefully in the very near future, my results will be better. Here's hoping.

Day Three, I'm On a Roll!

Well, a mini-roll anyway. I do feel improvements, gradual as they may be, but at least I'm feeling perkier by the day. I'll take what I can get.

I went for a little longer walk today. Still not overdoing, but it felt good to at least get stretched out and get something done. I'm working my way up to the recumbent bike, as it requires hoisting my leg over the middle of the bike. We don't have one of the fancy ones with the completely cut out middle portion.

I'm also making it a point to begin thinking about re-vamping (for a 2nd time) our eating habits. With my exercise limited, I need to alter my portions and daily calorie allotments. I informed Hubby Dearest that we are going to be enjoying more grains and more soups this fall and winter. We (meaning I) are hoping that using soups, which are quite filling, will provide the proper fiber and calorie counts without breaking the dietary bank. There are only a few (canned) soups that HD even likes, and besides chili, this could be a real challenge. But, to his credit, he has taken all of my previous wild ideas in stride, and is extremely cooperative. All I need to do is leave out the mushrooms and I'm golden. :)

So, now armed with the umpteenth iteration of my "plan", I am hopeful that I'm back on the right track. All I need is for the knee and the back to hold out until Nov. 29 when I can then fully engage in all of the things that I've been planning to do. Not quite a bucket list, but kinda close.

Ho Hum!

Another day, another blog post. OMG!!! This makes two in a row! Alert the media, I'm back at it. Well, sorta. After yesterday's "Oh Woe Is Me" post I felt I owed it to myself (and to the one or two people who actually read my blog) to let you know that I am seeing some improvement. My walk yesterday was, in fact, longer than the day before, so that's progress. I still have great difficulty getting on the recumbent bike, but that day will come soon, I am sure. For now, a few weights and a walk or two is about all I can muster.

I can't tell if the prednisone is really helping yet or not. I do know that it tastes bitter, and gives me terrible indigestion. Ahhhh, the price one must pay for results. The gigantic bruise on my butt is not subsiding, and sitting is still an issue. Perhaps I mentioned I had a deep tissue massage, with a sledge hammer, so I'm still mighty tender. Ice, Ice, Baby!! The good news is that I did, as usual, awaken at 3:00 this morning for my nightly trip to the potty, but instead of being in pain and having to go downstairs to medicate and sit on my ice bag, I was able to go back to bed with minimal pain, and get 3 hrs. more of the sleep I so desperately crave. That, my friends, is progress. I still have the morning pain, but it begins to subside about 11, so I am hopeful that each day, as the prednisone takes hold, my mobility will arrive earlier in the morning....day by day.

I am currently able to get some work done around the house, so that makes me feel a little bit more useful. Can't do some household tasks, but they are the ones that I hate to do when I'm completely well.....vacuuming being one of them. Luckily, Hubby Dearest has sprung for a cleaning lady, but she is only able to come every 4 weeks until Nov. But believe me, that is better than nothing. So, I am trying to maintain bathrooms and dust now and again. Not too much bending over at one time, and I can "Get 'er done!"

Lest I bore you all further, I shall now go back upstairs to my comfy chair and lovely ice bag. Getting a lot of reading done as I sit all day. Boring, but at least I don't have to twiddle my thumbs all day long.

Shame, shame, shame

ON ME!!! I have not only been remiss in my blogging, I have been remiss in almost every other area of my life, as well.

This is the point where I now begin the litany of maladies that have prevented me from doing what it is I know I must do. So as not to disappoint, I shall begin by saying that my sciatica has come back with a vengeance. It has prevented me from sleeping, doing stairs, driving long distances, and sitting comfortably. I have not come downstairs to blog or to ride the recumbent, or to do any exercises at all. As one might suspect, the lack of activity has taken a toll on my previous successes. I am about as out of shape and "blubbery" as I have ever been. It's more than slightly depressing. I'm trying to work myself back into some sort of groove, but when I awake at 3:30 every morning in pain, I'm not exactly motivated to get exercising. I know, Excuse #1. When the pain finally subsides, I drive the 7 blocks to the chiropractor, where he uses his elbow to go deep into the tissue to loosen up the "knots". I'm black and blue for days, and it hurts to sit on the bike seat. Excuse #2. There are days I cannot stand to do the stairs. I can get downstairs from the bedroom, but doing another flight just isn't in the cards. Excuse #3. I could go on and on, but instead I bit the bullet and actually went to my regular Doctor.

After making me push and pull various muscles, he came to the conclusion that I do, indeed, have sciatic nerve problems, caused by my bad knee. (Which, due to the sciatica, I'd almost forgotten about.) He's given me prednisone (sp?) for the time being. I only have to get to Nov. 29 when I have my knee replacement, so this is a 6 day pack, with 6 days of residual effect. That will hopefully give me some much needed relief. I just want to sleep more than 3 1/2 hrs. per night. I think the worst part of all of this is my pathetic lack of golf this summer. It has always been the one key component to my exercise regimen. That, may very well be the cause of my blue mood. I've only had one day on the prednisone, so we'll see if relief is on the way. Fingers crossed.

I did try to take a short walk yesterday, but turned back after less than 1/2 block. I thought the stretching would be helpful....I was incorrect. Back to the ice pack again. I'm going to try again this afternoon, so we'll see how far I can get. I'm going with the any progress is good. Even if I only go 3/4 of a block today, it will be an improvement.

I probably should have titled this post "Oh Poor Me!", but I think I've used that before. :)

Yoo Hoo, Am I Out There?

Seems like ages since I've set down and composed a post for my blog. Suppose that could be because I've not been busy doing very much. Knee, back and hip are doing quite nicely considering I am an old fart. Rain, rain, and more rain has kept me off the golf course, so my exercise has been largely confined to the recumbent bike. I really have no problem with that except that I prefer an outdoor activity.

A post without mentioning another injury is like a day without sunshine. Well, actually I have 3 new ones to report. Last week I had 2 squamous cell spots removed on my right hand. They were located in very odd spots, and the Dr. said he'd never seen them between fingers before. Leave it to me!! Typing has been a challenge with all the bandages. They are smaller now, so I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. The third oddity occurred last night. I opened the drop leaf to my desk and the old calculator slid out and dropped, corner first, right on my big toe. A slight yelp of "ouch" and I thought nothing of it. When I went upstairs to go to bed, I had quite a lovely bruise. Well, "ouch" indeed. This morning I awoke to a really swollen and bruised big toe. A little ice and a little elevation of the foot, and only the bruise remains. But, really, what a stupid accident. Only I could do something so blatantly dumb.

It's State Fair time again, but I am not succumbing to the temptation of the pork chop on a stick.

The heat and humidity might also play a small part in my willingness to forgo the lure of multiple new foods on a stick. I'll stay at home and enjoy the fresh and delicious tomatoes that everyone, but me, has been growing. My efforts at tomato farming have yielded exactly 2 regular sized tomatoes and 6 cherry tomatoes. Pitiful, I admit. However, my peppers are going nuts!! That, and my herbs, have been doing well. My upside down tomato thingy hasn't proven to be the wonder of nature I was promised. I had much better luck last year. Lucky for me I have my CSA and several friends providing lovely produce.

On a very proud note, my granddaughter (age 6) completed her first 1 mile fun run in 13 min. 11 sec.!!!! I am so proud of her. The Primary Child (her father) did the 5K just prior to her run, then ran with her. Very cool.

A Sunday Post??? What Am I Thinking?

Well, I'll tell you what I'm thinking.....Yippeeeeee Damned Skippeeeeee!!! I played 18 holes of golf today with almost no pain!! I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am about that. At about the 16th hole my knee began to get tired, but I was not in pain. Hallelujah!!

I know better than to get too cocky about this, but I have to admit I am heartened by this turn of events. I am well aware of the pitfalls of being over confident, so I will keep things in perspective. Tuesday and Wednesday of this week is our annual Member-Guest Tournament, and I am hopeful that I will be able to continue to enjoy a pain-free golf experience. I have promised myself that I will not overdo, and I will not force myself to do things I'm not able to do. Thank goodness my partner realizes that I have certain limitations. We're in it, not to win it, but to have an enjoyable experience, and have fun. I have warned her that if I feel pain...I quit. She's good with that.

Since my injection on Thursday, I have been taking things slow and easy. I am not going to tempt the fates, but I am thinking I may be able to resume a walking schedule after the golf tournament. I have found one thing to be a problem, I cannot carry heavy things without a bit of a twinge in my knee. I think that's a sign that everyone should fetch and carry for me!! NOT!

I cannot carry my usual 5 grocery bags in at one time, but I'm ok with that. :)

In looking over this post, I see why I don't post on weekends. It's an odd post, but a happy one. I just couldn't wait to share my happy news. Hope my good fortune continues. Wish us luck.

Plop, Plop, Fizz, Fizz, Oh What A Relief It Is

Well, truth be told, there was no plop, plop or fizz, fizz....but AHHHH what a relief it is! Yep, you guessed it! Today was cortisone shot day. I'm to stay off the knee for a "few" hours. What exactly is a "few" I asked. I was told "More than 1 and less than 10". So guess I'll just chill for a little while. I was told to stay off the "dreadmill" as it is too taxing on the old, decrepit joints. So just me and my trusty recumbent from now until Nov. 29. Oh....did I mention that's my surgery date? I can also squeeze one more cortisone shot in before surgery. I learned not to stretch the gap between shots the hard way.!! I am looking forward to the surgery and having all of this crap behind me, but I still want to be able to enjoy golf and football, too. I want it ALL!!! If I take care and listen to what my body tells me, I see no reason I can't have it ALL!!!

I have to admit that feeling the relief already has me anxious to get back on track. I will pace myself, but just being able to do a bit more than usual will be wonderful. I'll ease back into a routine that is sensible, but just using the word routine is comforting.

Thank you all for your encouraging words on my last post. I did think and ponder quite a lot before I went to the Dr. today. I was truly thinking of an earlier surgery, but after discussing the situation with my Dr., he felt I could stay comfortable and still do all the things I want to do. He did use the word "sensible" quite a bit. Think it might have been a subliminal message? I was also left with the option to change dates if things become intolerable. Good to have options, I guess. Certainly hoping that I don't need to make alternate arrangements.

So, I'm all set for another 3 months...I hope. I'm gonna do things in moderation, but I'm looking forward to actually DOING things again. Thank you all again for encouraging me. I'm trying to hang in there. After one whole morning...so far, so good. :)

At A Crossroads

Remember the old Johnny Carson skit, where Johnny is giving directions to his character's car lot, and he says "When you come to the fork in the road, take it!!" Well, I think I might be at a crossroads ready to "take it"....but which way do I turn?

When I originally began this journey, it was to improve my health and hopefully lose weight along the way. I am happy to report that the health improvement is going along nicely, but there is always room for improvement. Improvement that would be greatly enhanced by a greater weight loss. Thursday I am going to the orthopedic Dr. for my cortisone shot. I know that it is going to bring relief, but I also know that relief will be temporary, and will wear off a month before I want to schedule my surgery. Crossroads #1...accept the fact that I will have another month like this last one before the surgery OR bite the bullet and schedule the surgery earlier and miss football season. (No I am not playing linebacker for the team.) Fact is, I am as crazy about Nebraska Cornhusker football as I am about golf!! Therein lies my dilemma.

Crossroads #2...I am not achieving the weight loss goals I had hoped for lately, but I know that my lack of exercise due to limited movement is not helping. It is not an excuse either. So, do I back off for now completely, continue the healthy eating and wait for pain relief to begin again, or do I toughen up and get on with it? I'm not a sissy by nature, but I am not enjoying the pain I'm inflicting upon myself one little bit. Even golf has been a struggle. Sunday, after a long layoff, I decided to give it a whirl. I only lasted 13 holes, then became an innocent bystander. That really hurts!!!

Crossroads #3...Blogging. While I love blogging, especially reading all of the blogs that I've followed all these months. I simply don't feel that I'm doing my part as a blogger. I'm not able to exercise, I'm not really losing weight, I'm just kinda hangin' on by a thread. My question is, "Should I continue to blog even tho' I have nothing but my marvelous wit (no wisdom) and sunny disposition to share? The blogging community has been so kind and generous to me, I hate to leave it altogether.

I can see that this post might qualify as a whiny, "oh poor me" post. I don't want it to be, really I don't. I want to make decisions that will be in my long term best interests. At 61, I want to maximize the years I have to look forward to. I don't want lasting damage from anything I may be trying to do right now. At least we are on the right track making good food choices, and making sure we find healthy alternatives to our old "vices". Guess that's a good thing, huh?

Thwarted!!

Drats! My grand plan to grow old gracefully is being thwarted. Roadblocks are being thrown in my path right and left lately. I shall not be deterred, but it ain't gonna be easy.

As I've already complained, my knee is on the replacement "to-do" list this fall. Until then, I'll be dragging it behind me, bitching loudly. I think I might have pulled a little something in my neck lifting weights this morning. I think it might be a matter of not stretching enough, so I'm not overly concerned. However, what I am concerned about it how much more stretching and warming up I have to do before I can get down to business. Almost as long as the workout itself!!

I was at the Dermatologist the other day, and had several spots frozen. Nothing significant, thank goodness, but the spot I was actually worried about turned out to be nothing more than an "Old Age" spot. Now, the Dr. put it more politely than that, but I knew exactly what the inference was. Old Age spots be damned!! Of course pointing this one spot out led to the discovery of many, many more spots that prompted the, " You don't have to worry about this, it's a normal part of aging." comment. Ouch!

I looked this morning and found that my list of vitamins and Doctors now outnumber the number of friends on our Christmas Card list!! I had a plan, once upon a time. Hubby Dearest and I would slide gracefully into our dotage with dignity and all in one piece. I'm pretty sure HD is gonna succeed, but I'm sort of a question mark at this point. I can cope with body parts aging, and going to pot, but I get very concerned when my mind shows signs of slowing down.

Case in point: Grocery Day today. I park the car in about the same place.....far enough from the door to make myself walk a short distance. (So far, so good, huh?) I shop like pro, sticking mainly to the perimeter of the store. (Still ok, right?) Check out and pay. (Still hangin' in there.) Push the cart out to the car. Stand by the door and click my remote door thingy...nothing. Keep clicking, still nothing. Click, click, curse, curse, click, click. Well, dummy, now what? If I stay out in the heat much longer, my broccoli is gonna pre-cook. LIGHTBULB!!! This is not my car! Ye Gods! It is an identical version of my car, down to the extra cloth grocery bags on the back seat. My car is directly across from the car I'm trying to break into! As casually as I can muster at this point, I stroll over to my car and load 'er up, return the cart to the cart park, and make my getaway as quickly and quietly as possible. As I left I saw that this car had different tires than my car.....well, who the hell checks that???

But in thinking about this further, it occurs to me that I have an SUV with the license plate right there in front of me on the tailgate. I have a personalized plate and should have noticed that I was trying to load up the wrong tailgate!!! I can't begin to tell you how that affects my self esteem and my plan to be a really cool, hip and happenin' old lady. I've suffered a setback, but I'm bound and determined to keep pluggin' away. I am buying a book of more difficult crosswords right away!

No News=Good News, Right? Well, Maybe Not

That's just where I am at present...nothing newsworthy.

My knee completely gave way last week, so I am on the injured reserve list. Walking very gingerly until I can get to the orthopod on the 29th. I am hoping that the cortisone shot will help re-seat my knee, and I'll be able to resume some sort of regular walking routine. Right now I have a hobbling routine. My knee "popped", I heard it, waited a moment, and then it came....PAIN....shooting, stabbing pain. My knee had popped out of "sync". I got it kinda re-seated, but it still wobbles. I am seriously considering an earlier surgery date. I'll see the Doc on the 29th and ask if this little setback is enough to move up the surgery date. I'm hoping not, but if I'm going to have this "wobbler" for the next few months, I won't have much fun to look forward to. I know it's bad when I cancel golf!! One good thing has come of this new event tho', I've pretty much forgotten about my sciatica! :)

I've been away from blogging for a bit. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I began reading again yesterday on my Crackberry. I haven't figured out how to respond or comment using the phone yet, but I did finally read and catch up. I am trying to use the phone for as much as I can, then I don't have to go downstairs to the "office/gym" to use the regular computer. (We don't yet have a laptop.) Stairs are not my friend at the moment. I can't use any of the equipment we have downstairs, so I'll bring the exercise ball upstairs along with my 8# weights and do a little bit of work upstairs. Makes the family room look a little funny, but at least I can do a little something.

My main claim to fame in the past few weeks has been that we are keeping our eating under control. I've managed to stay on the healthy track with that, at least. The CSA shares help, so it's always fun to see what we're going to be enjoying from week to week. And, guess what??? My beloved kohlrabi has returned!!! Not in the huge quantities we had last year, but it's back. I am wondering what it is about Iowans and their kohlrabi? Even the farmers' markets are full of kohlrabi baskets. I find that very odd. Must have something to do with the bright purple color. If that's not the reason, I cannot figure out the attraction. This year, a friend and her husband are sharing our bounty with us. Makes it much easier to use all of the greens and, of course, kohlrabi, if we are not the only ones trying to make use of it. Zucchini squash season has begun, so I suppose I'll be baking soon. I'm not keen on baking, but with the onset of zucchini season, I usually have to do something baked for HD to take to the office. I can't let a cake sit around here, that's for sure. We'd not be able to resist.

Well, Go Figure!

This just in!!! Dr. Reports That VRaz60 Is OK!! I just opened my Dr.'s report and found that aside from the bottom number of my blood pressure (I forget which is systolic and which is diastolic) all of my numbers have improved!! As I whined yesterday, it was due in no part to my healthy habits of late. I am hopeful that with these numbers showing improvement, and knowing that even tho' I've slacked off lately, I did well, I'll be more inclined to get my act together more quickly.

After several weeks of remaining silent, my competition has spoken!! He informs me that he has now lost weight again! The contest continues. Perhaps that, too, will motivate me again. He has forged into the lead by a per cent or two. I should put my nose to the grindstone, or more accurately, my butt on the recumbent bike, and get a move on it. I did 15 min. on the bike yesterday, but I really felt it in my knee. Fortuitously, my sciatica is in abeyance for the moment and I can be more active. Will that actually make me get going or not, we shall see.

As you can see, I talk a good game. Action needs a little work. I DO really want to get my mojo back, I really do. I don't want it to take bad news to make me work as hard as I should. I cannot take my positive Dr.'s report as a sign to continue slacking off.

Blogger's Block

I've had Writer's Block before, but now it has turned into Blogger's Block. I am still doing most of the same things on a daily, weekly, monthly basis, so nothing strikes me as very newsworthy. The events that are fun and exciting to me have nothing to do with my health, per se. Even tho' each of the fun events make me happy and I enjoy them enormously, they don't necessarily contribute to my overall good health.

Example: Our wonderful grandson's 3rd birthday party. For this big event, The Perfect Child flew in from Phoenix to help celebrate. Big party, big fun. Smart eating....not so much. Earlier, The Primary Child and the above mentioned wonderful grandson came for a visit. Rainy weather, no outside activity, and again.....good habits took a big hit. Guests for golf, dinner out, bbq's when weather permits. Dumb choices all over the place.

Next up: 4th of July with friends joining us for the huge celebration at our club. I'm planning on improving my choice making, but who knows? I grow weaker and weaker in this department lately. I'm not gaining any weight, but I'm certainly not losing, or taking care of my overall health.

I should get a gauge as to just what damage I may have done very soon. Monday, I went to the Dr. for my 6 month med-check. I'll be getting the blood work results back this week, so perhaps I'll be shocked back into action....and while I'm not anxious for bad news, maybe that might just be the kick in the butt I need to get my sorry ass back on track. I talk to myself daily, chastising myself for being such a slacker. I know exactly what the consequences will be if I don't get going in the right direction again. I know, I know, I know. WHEN do I DO???? I certainly do not lack for AH-HA moments, they happen all the time. How do I manage to continually ignore them?

Sciatica is much improved, golf is more frequent, so theoretically, I should be perking right along, right? Yeah, I'd think so too.

Dadgummit, Anyhow!

Seems as tho' I'm just not gonna catch a break this week. Yesterday, as I was pulling some items out of the dryer in order to get ready for my big golf outing, I snapped my sciatic all over again. Not as bad this time, but plenty aggravating. I made up my mind not to miss this golf event because it was "Bras for the Cause", a breast cancer and women's health organization here that our golf club supports with a big tournament every year. I hated to miss it, so I dropped "a few" Tylenol Arthritis Strength, and tried to keep moving. I wasn't much help to the team, but I got thru the day with no major problems. Just the same nagging pain as I woke up with.

Upon my return from the tournament, I called the chiropractor to see if I could get in yet that afternoon. The office was closed!! I suffered thru the evening, and was able to sleep a bit. I do have to get more Tylenol, however. Also had to pull out "Old Faithful"...the ice bag. I've had it attached to my butt off and on all day. Took it off only long enough to get the chiro to adjust me, and to have my spinal decompression. I'm having a modicum of relief right now, so I'm hopeful this siege of sciatica won't be as long, or as painful as the last one. The whole things throws a real kink into my exercise program, let me just say. Walking slowly is just about all I can do at present. I've tried a few stretches with the exercise ball, but I'm not quite sure about that yet. It hasn't actually been painful, but I can feel an uncomfortable pull now and then.

My salsa garden has suffered a setback, too. A friend told me to make a solution of Dawn liquid dish washing soap and water to get rid of the little bugs that were nibbling on my radish tops and enjoying my lettuce right down to the ground. I bought a plain, non-antibacterial, old fashioned Dawn liquid, added it to a spay bottle with some water. Spritzing away, I was feeling very good about my efforts to remain "green". Later that day, the tops of the radishes were brown and wilted, the lettuce sickly, and the leaves were beginning to yellow on my pepper plants.... and then eventually they fell off!!! Tomatoes were unaffected, thank the Good Lord!! Today, I noticed that teeny, tiny leaves were beginning to form on the "Pepper Sticks". Can't really call them plants at present! :) I remain hopeful that I'll have peppers by the time the snow flies.