So, what's happening in my neck of the woods?
I'm going to unleash all the negative things first.
If this bothers you, leave now and go to the Meditation Channel.
My health issues have become so alarming that I'm genuinely concerned (i.e. scared crapless). My spinal issues are not only impeding my ability to walk, but also effecting my coordination. At times I can hardly hold a pencil.
I fell in the bedroom the other morning and couldn't get up. As I desperately crawled painfully around on the floor, my cat Bosco came over to me and puked. Can it get any worse than that?
God is laughing His arse off at the punishments He's inflicting on me.
Don't doubt it.
I get crushing pains in my chest and alarming shortness of breath. My heartbeat is incredibly irregular.
I have aural migraines every day - the wicked kind that drastically effect my vision. I blame it on stress and computer eye strain.
Was that enough? I'll save the rest for another time.
How about going to a doctor, Jon?
I'm in the boonies, boys and girls. Doctors are 100 miles away. Besides, I know far too many people who are hopelessly addicted to doctors. I have no desire to spend all my time with appointments, unnecessary medications, and surgery.
If this offends anyone, sorry. I'm merely giving my truthful opinion. Many people truly need doctors due to serious on-going medical conditions.....but many others just go due to a psychological addiction.
This rural abode is infested with mice. Raccoons are nesting in the roof. Possums dwell under the house. Viciously aggressive bees are residing on the back and front porches. Every time I open a door, they try to get in.
It rains every day - and I mean EVERY day. The brush, weeds, and thorny shrubs are five feet high - at least. I'm planning to buy a good brush cutter and (perhaps) chain saw.
My laptop computer is now nine years old and falling apart (much like myself). I'm considering buying a new one next month (when I get some more money).
Due to my health problems, and the fact that my car is falling apart (like the laptop and myself), I've decided to (temporarily??) give up driving.
I am THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED with driving a zillion miles on dangerous mountain roads to go to town. To hell with it.
For the past few months I've been having all my food and supplies delivered. I'm able to get just about everything I need - and most of the shipping is free.
I get most of my things from Walmart, Wild Fork Foods, Purdue Farms, Shisler Cheese Factory, and a few other places.
At first it was impossible to get milk, but now I buy UHT milk. It's expensive, but worth the price.
Never heard of it?
UHT milk goes through a radical (high-heat) pasteurization process, which makes it much more durable than regular supermarket milk.UHT milk can be kept up to three months without refrigeration. When it's finally opened, it has to be refrigerated.
I think it tastes far better than supermarket milk.
I've decided to abandon my usual Spartan starvation "diet". I am presently buying a lot of food...and sparing no expense. Hell, it's about all I have left to enjoy.......
Photos, anyone?
A glimpse of the back "yard"
Front "yard" this morning
My dinner today - Argentine sausage with onions and red, yellow, and green peppers. It tastes better than it looks.
Hopeless addiction
I'll admit it - - I am hopelessly addicted to green salad olives.......
Well, I've said enough for now.
Until later, Jon
I completely understand not wanting to go to the doctors, once is never enough it's always return in two weeks for every doctor you have ever ventured to visit.
ReplyDeleteI am addicted to the Bed Buddy wrap, pop it in the microwave or freezer if you desire cold treatment, I prefer the heat, and it works wonders on my aging back.
Love seeing your wilderness, it always looks so serene and peaceful....well apart from the bees :)
Food looks delicious, I like black olives !
Jo
Most doctors nowadays rely far too much on (often unnecessary) drugs and surgery - - much of which causes more harm than good.
DeleteI never heard of the Bed Buddy Wrap. It sounds good, but it wouldn't help my spinal injuries. I had two long-ago serious falls, which destroyed my spine.
I love all kinds of olives - especially the Italian oil-cured black olives.
I think I'm addicted to salad olives because of the vinegar!
thecontemplativecat here. I grew up in the midWest, surrounded by cornfields and hogs. Driving to the dr on country gravel roads was a hardship. But, you, mister, win the prize for awfulness. Sounds like your body is getting even with you somehow. Eat well!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't dare reveal all my problems on this public blog - - nobody would believe it. My health has been deteriorating rapidly these past few years. I'm falling apart much more quickly at an earlier age than my parents did. I'm not used to being in a rural area. I love the peace and privacy, but the inconveniences are profound.
DeleteWhat Rita said! I think the not-driving part is a sound decision, and thank goodness for food and sundry deliveries. I never heard of that milk; just wish I knew someone who actually drinks it I could recommend your find. Those olives look mighty tasty, but sodium's not my friend.
ReplyDeletePlease rethink your decision not to seek medical help. At least you'll have answers and can decide at that time whether you want to act on them.
Myra, I was a fool to move to a rural area in my declining years. All I considered is that I'd have peace, surrounded by the beauty of nature. I never dreamed that it would turn into a nightmare of problems and inconveniences. I also never thought I'd be falling apart at a relatively early age.
DeleteI realize that I should get medical help, but the mere thought of all I would have to go through makes me want to ignore everything and suffer until I collapse. I've endured far too much insane chaos in my life and don't want to go through any more.
Sodium and sugar aren't my friends, either - - but I can't resist them.....
Your battle with cancer required long-term treatment with the aid of numerous doctors, medications, etc. Without that, you wouldn't have survived. You are so fortunate to having a loving family and others who genuinely care and have been an immense help.
ReplyDeleteI know that I need spinal surgery but I don't want to go through the nightmare of dealing with it - for many reasons. At this late stage of the game, I'd rather ignore everything until I finally drop. The only person around here to help is my cousin Nancy - but she has enough of her own problems. All of my other relatives and friends live far away out-of-state. Isolation in my declining years is a frightening Bitch.
I'm presently getting another migraine, so I'll cut this short. I appreciate your comment. Hugs to you and Allie.
I share your dislike for the US medical system, though for slightly different reasons. Living in Europe acquainted me with their systems, which have rather better end results than the US system. Here, we are trained from residency that 'if it's billable/payable by insurance, prescribe it, test or drugs.' Across the pond (and around most of the glove) they tend to look at the whole patient, his/hers desires and living environment, and engage the patient into their own care. They have better outcomes on almost every level: longevity, overall sense of well-being by patients, length of hospitalizations, infant mortality, etc.
ReplyDeleteI do have one suggestion (of course I do...), regarding your migraine auras....do you perhaps have hypertension? That's a thing that can be treated with a minimum of side effects of meds, and can help with the vision disturbances.
Best of luck to you.
Mike
You're absolutely right about the differences between our medical system and the European (global) ones. They seem to regard patients with a humanistic approach, considering their individual needs.
DeleteMy mother had frequent migraine auras - - it ran in her family.
And, yes - I do have hypertension.
Thanks, Mike
The medical system is one of those no win scenarios. From personal experience, socialist healthcare systems such as the one in Canada is NOT what we want here! The doctors do not care near as much because they are not exactly getting paid as much as our doctors here in the U.S. nor for their "expertise" (hence not exactly getting the best care!) - AND you have no choice WHO you see - the government pretty much decides that as with EVERYHTNG else. On the other hand, here the system sucks as well because the insurance companies rule - hand in hand with the physicians, our government, etc.
ReplyDeleteI love your photos!!!
You're absolutely right - - it's a no win scenario. The health care system is run by the government, insurance companies, and the ever-expanding pharmaceutical industry.
DeleteJon, please go to the doctor and do what needs to be done to fix your spine. To be able to walk again is my dream; if this surgery could do that for you, think of how much the quality of your life would improve. You're still young; sell your house and property in Tennessee and move into a town somewhere. I live in a suburb of LA (Downey) and it's very quiet here. Quiet can be found in cities as well as in the country. I echo the person who suggested looking for county services; you might be surprised at what's available. Sorry this is so long, but I worry about you! Jackie in CA
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness Jon, To fall and not be able to get up is horrendous. I take my cell with me outside when I go out just in case. You need to get some Dr. help. Can you do the phone/computer visit with a dr first and then go in if needed? They have volunteer drivers to help those who can't drive and please check out with probably the county for services to help clean, and I would think maybe mow and I know in MN we have a program through our local BICAP that helps with furnaces and even fuel assistance for those that need the help. Bet you could get someone to come trap those pesky Raccoons and what ever else you said you had Please make some calls, you're too young to not live a better life physically, mentally and outsidely. ha! Wendy
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this post, Jon, and then all the comments from caring fellow bloggers (yes, you do have a number of us) there is little to add. Your current health conditions are indeed staggering and the suggestions provided by others sound like good ones, but then perhaps none of these are available in your area? It should be fairly obvious that we all want you to feel better and while we will not dessert you, your situation is distressing and downright dire.
ReplyDeleteI can vouch for the milk.
ReplyDeleteEven though I purchased lactose free option.
from your friend Lisa (salemslot9)