Joy to the World?
Shopping frantically and spending much more money than you ever wanted to. Pretending that you're in a happily festive holiday mood. Performing the endless time-worn traditions with a smile, even though you're nearly catatonic from stress.
Eating like a senseless stuffed sow while people in the Ukraine are starving.
Taking down all those decorations - - most of which symbolize ancient Winter Solstice pagan rituals.
Don't mind me. I'm merely thinking out loud. Just pretend you didn't hear anything. And remember that I'm a sweetheart and almost entirely harmless.
Almost.
So how was my Christmas?
I passed the holiday without thinking about it. The day was drenched in unholy dreariness and torrential rain.
I had a joyful time dragging myself around the house with my walker and periodically collapsing in my wheelchair whenever I felt like passing out.
I got my prescriptions all mixed up and didn't know what the heck pills I was taking.
The highlight of my day happened when I was in the kitchen. I stupidly tried to clean the stove while one of the burners was on. The rag I was cleaning with suddenly caught fire. As I frantically tried to throw it in the sink, it landed on a folded pile of new dish towels and they were set ablaze.
The entire (very small) kitchen looked like Dante's Inferno. I managed to douse everything in the sink and the fire was out.
It was a Christmas miracle.
I had initially planned to make a shepherd's pie, but I was exhausted. I finally prepared some Italian sausage with onions and peppers. I'm saving the shepherd pie for New Years Eve.
I tire very easily and often am out of breath. I think I felt better before my latest doctor began plying me with pills. Lipator. Lasix, Zestril, Aldactone, Coreg, etc.
Read the side effects and you'll wonder how I'm still living.
I literally have to force myself to do things.
There was a lot of garbage piled up on my back porch from before I was hospitalized. Today I got a huge cardboard box and dragged it out on the porch. I managed to put most of the trash in the box - - and swept the porch (with the aide of my walker).
Progress. At this point in my life, little things mean a lot.
I've said enough. But you'll hear from me again before the end of this old year.
I can only imagine your exitement.
Love, Jon
A view (yet again) from the front porch. My dirt "driveway" is visible.
You make it funny though. Have you always been a comedian?
ReplyDeleteI think I'm the funniest person I know.
DeleteDear Jon, your post caught me at an opportune time. For 3 days I've been moaning thru the house like a troubled ghost. Sat down here this evening after trying 2 hours to get my keyboard to communicate to the electronics under it. Grabbed cane and hobbled out in the dark to pumphouse to breathe albuterol sulfate. Hobbled back in and tried again ---pooter behaved itself. Your post made me feel less alone, and reminded me of the kind of strength needed to function now. Thanks, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your pooter is now behaving. Albuterol sulfate can do amazing things, if inhaled properly.
DeleteIt's always good to hear from you, Geo. I'm glad I'm not alone. Take care!
Why do you have to go someplace to use your inhaler, Geo? A nebulizer doesn't emit much if any, in the way of second-had contamination. There have been actual studies about this, nebs have been around decades, and lots of Phd/MD need material for a doctoral thesis or a publication.
DeleteGood question, Mike. Answer is Norma turns in early and nebulizer makes a racket.
DeleteI wonder if your list of meds needs to be revisited, just in case some might be retired. You're pretty much indomitable, what with dousing fires and clearing garbage. When people talk about putting out fires, they usually mean it as a metaphor. Jon does the real thing, no cheap imitations!
ReplyDeleteI'm worried about all those meds and wonder if they are necessary. Some are for high blood pressure - - and I don't have HB.
DeleteDespite my physical limitations, I'm actually doing quite good. No cheap imitations here*smile*
A message from afar, Jon. The reason you don't have hypertension now may be the meds you are on. Also, some of them, like the calcium inhibitors and ACE inhibitors, help with the CHF issues that make you short of breath. I'd suggest not stopping meds unless your have side effects outside the norm. But, jut my opinion. Hope you have an uneventful new years day.
DeleteHi, Mike - - during my long stay in the hospital, my blood pressure was sometimes normal and often below normal - which made me wonder if the recent BP meds were necessary. But I'm happy that they are helping the edema.
DeletePossible snow flurries this weekend.
Perhaps a white New Years Eve??
When people comment about going out in a blaze of fire, Jon, that doesn't men to take it literally 😉 Seriously, who of us hasn't had a similar experience of forgetting that a stove was hot before trying to clean it, a few I suppose. While the loss of the new towels was unfortunate, at least nothing more serious (I hope) occurred. Hope that the rest of this year is without significant incidents. That list of meds may need to be looked into as Loud suggested. Best (early) wishes for the 2024 and hope it's a better one.
ReplyDeleteThis wasn't my first kitchen fire. One time the whole oven caught fire and I foolishly doused it with water.
DeleteI am admittedly worried about taking all those meds - and they do have dangerous side effects. I knew that I had heart trouble since I was eighteen and I never took any drugs for it. I'm truly hoping for a good 2024. Thanks, Dorothy!
You expressed my feelings about this season quite well. Thank you!! Anyone who can start a fire, turn around and feed it towels and then put it out is far from down for the count. Definitely no cheap imitation!
ReplyDeleteSandra, I was hesitant about revealing my true opinion of the holidays, for fear that I might offend someone. I'm delighted that you agree!
Delete....and I extinguished the fire without the aide of my walker. I think that's progress.
A "senseless stuffed cow" ... are you looking through my window, Jon?
ReplyDeleteYour kitchen fire sounds comical, but in reality I'm guessing it was terrifying. Great reflexes! BTW, my blog friend Sandra, recently invested in a fire blanket for her kitchen; I understand they're gaining popularity.
Prescriptions? You're not alone! Tom's are threatening to take over the kitchen counter, and I'm having to monitor his intake more and more often. It happens to the best of us.
As is our life, Christmas came and went with little to no fanfare; actually, I'm relieved it's all over.
I'll admit that my favorite part of the holidays is the food. I'm among the stuffed sows *smile*
DeleteI never heard of a fire blanket but I'll probably need one.
I don't like to take any meds whatsoever, so I'm genuinely worried about all the ones that I'm being forced to take. I now have a box filled with them and I feel like a druggie. And the potential side effects scare the jeeters out of me.
Dear Jon--it's always good to hear from you; I look forward to your posts. I took use a walker, so I understand what you're going through, and I admire your determination and your accomplishments. Look at how much you have improved since you started rehab! It's cold here in SoCal-- or at least what we call cold!! :) I would join the chorus of those who are advising to check your prescriptions. I don't like to take medication either, so I always check everything carefully. Keep on posting; you have many of us who care about you! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always extremely frustrated with my physical limitations - - but I've made remarkable progress. When I first arrived in physical therapy I was too weak to even sit up in bed.
DeleteThe weather has been mild, but it's starting to cool down. Snow flurries are predicted by the weekend.
I'm very cautious about the meds that I'm taking. It seems like there are too many - - and they all have frightening side effects.
I've noticed that my blog readership is dwindling (my insecurity is pathetic) I'm always happy to have faithful blogger friends like yourself. Thanks, Jackie.
We had a fairly quiet Christmas, more than previous years....it was a lovely time and dinner, and the next two days nothing but relaxing. Heaven.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't feel bad about the dish rag....I have done that several times.
Glad to hear you came through the holiday intact and in your home too. And you still have the house!!!! A Christmas miracle indeed!
The best part of the holidays is the food - - and you always set an extremely elegant table.
DeleteThis wasn't my first kitchen fire. I once had an oven fire which was far worse.
I'll admit that it's much better to endure the holidays at home than in a hospital.
Only a few more days left in this old year. Let the countdown begin!!
Our family gatherings are all over, and Christmas day was just the two of us and a portly kitty. Lots of delicious food, and days of left-overs ahead.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you are feeling down, but understandably, you are still facing many obstacles. The fact that you have the energy to clean, and even put out a fire, is remarkable !
I hope the days ahead will become easier, and you are able to get stronger and healthier.
I see a kitty in your future !
Hugs,
~Jo
The leftovers are often the best part. They are easy to prepare and taste even better than the first time.
DeleteYou're right - - I still have many unpleasant obstacles to overcome. I'm having extreme difficulties trying to walk, but I keep forcing myself to do it.
There is a winter weather alert tonight, with the possibility of snow!
I hope there will be a kitty in my future *smile*
‘I don’t know anything.
ReplyDeleteNever mind.
I don’t care.
Hallo!
Whoop!
Hallo here!’
- Ebenezer Scrooge
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