Snow! Certainly not a winter wonderland, but a timid sprinkle that came far too early in the Tennessee season.
I opened the front door yesterday and took a few bland pics. My mind is in abstract mode. I'm not exactly thinking of Christmas joy.
I'm still struggling with the persistent hip/back/pelvis pain. Every little movement annoys it. I'm not shrieking......just whimpering. Is that progress?
My new prescription is - - more prednisone. Far more than the previous one. If nothing else, I'll soon be hooked on steroids and assume the dark personality of a deranged pro wrestler.
My biggest problem is that I'm still unsteady when I stand. And the only way I can walk is by shuffling my good left leg - - and dragging my useless right leg.
I try to sleep in bed, but the hip pain is so annoying that I have to abandon the process.
The home care nurses have decided to visit me twice a week instead of once.
Masochists? Or saints?
So how do I cope with my (many) challenges? I try to maintain a sense of humor.
Anyone who can find humor in my plight must be extraordinarily creative.
This house is unbelievably cold. I'm presently using space heaters. My recent utility bill tripled and I haven't even used the furnace yet.
I'm covered in throws and blankets. Last night I had a thin throw wrapped around my shoulders and neck
Somehow it got completely tangled in the wheelchair wheel. The more I struggled to get it untangled, the more tightly it wound around my neck.
Good Gawd!! I'm going to die like Isadora Duncan!!!
If you never heard of Isadora, Google her 1927 death.
Finally - - finally I got untangled.
The excitement never ends.
Jon
Sounds like your right leg needs a good dose of both hydro and physical therapy. In Japan therapists have had good results with hydro therapy with carbonated water, it helps with circulation in the limbs. And you’re not going out like Isadora Duncan yet !
ReplyDeleteLuv the photos of your land in Tennessee with all the seasons.
-Rj
My right leg does need some kind of therapy but the pain is so annoying!
DeleteThe seasons always look nice here. Wish I could walk in the woods like I used to.
Death by wheelchair would be funny.
For the first time in my life, I can identify with your lower back/hip pain. The other day at Lowe's I had to hang onto the buggy for dear life, lest I fall. Aside from copious amounts of Voltaran and Tylenol Arthritis, I'm going to try Epsom salts in the bath tonight.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, have you seen those electric neck/back warmers at Wal-Mart? Here's the link: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Large-Weighted-Heating-Pad-for-Neck-and-Shoulders-40-x24-Electric-Heated-Neck-Shoulder-Wrap-3-Heat-Settings-Auto-off-with-Countdown-Gray/711168050?classType=REGULAR&adsRedirect=true
Okay, now I'm off to Google Isadora Duncan.
The back and hip problems can come on suddenly and be very devastating. Tylenol never helps me. I hope the Epsom Salts help you.
DeleteI'll check out the Walmt heating wrap.
"I'll soon be hooked on steroids and assume the dark personality of a deranged pro wrestler."
ReplyDeleteAlways the optimist!
I wish I hadn't googled Isadore. What a way to go.
Prednisone can really zonk you. Too many steroids. I'm always cautious....
DeleteIsadora's demise....yikes!
Such drama!! Wait for me, Isadora! I've always avoided long scarves on account of her. Not that I've been in convertibles, but it pays to be careful.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad your nurses will attend more often. I loved the home care nurses who attended my late husband, really good people. They'd left hospital nursing because it wasn't patient centered enough.
I read a biography about Isadora when I was sixteen and never forgot the scarf....
DeleteAll of the home care nurses that I had were nice and extremely helpful. They really care.
You had more snow than in Nashua, NH, Jon. While I heard of Ms Duncan, I didn’t know how she died and at a relatively young age (50). Seems she and her family were doomed by autos as years ago her 3 & 5 year old children drowned in a car. Good to read that you are getting home health care visits more often, but not about the continuing level of pain.
ReplyDeleteI was really surprised to see snow this early in December. Usually we get snow in Jan. or Feb.
DeleteIsadora had a tragic life. I think the death of her two beloved children really destroyed her.
I didn't need to google Isadora, I knew the story! I think the nurses are saints. As slow as it is, you do seem to be be improving by inches. Your humor is intact.
ReplyDeleteThe nurses are indeed saints. Hopefully I am improving but I'm extremely concerned that I'll be able to walk again.
DeleteHumor helps....
I also knew about Isadora. Be careful!
ReplyDeleteDo you have a sturdy walker? I keep forgetting to ask.
So glad the nurses are coming twice a week! Hurray! :)
I never knew wheelchairs could be dangerous. I have a good walker, but right now my edema is so bad that I have trouble walking.
DeleteI hate to say it, but the past couple of winters here in PA we have been fairly lucky and only had a coupe of small snow storms. It is not officially winter yet, and we are already getting a taste of what is to come I am afraid. I could be wrong and I hope that I am, but we may be in for a bad one this year. They say we are due, who knows?
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Jon!!
I have a very strong feeling that we are in for a bad winter. Our worst months are usually January and February. If it's freezing and snowy at the beginning of Dec. it's a bad sign.
DeleteI'm trying to hang on....
With the higher dose of Prednisone, be sure you taper off in the last doses...don't just stop at a high dose.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/good-prednisone-taper-schedule-3570111/
The prescription has me tapering off. 5 tablets for three days. 4 for 3 days. I can't remember the exact doseage, but it tapers to 3, 2, and finally 1 for the last day.
DeleteThanks, Mike.
Each tablet is 10mg.
DeleteGood tapering dose.
DeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry but I had to chuckle when I read that you almost strangled yourself with that thin throw you had wrapped around your neck that got caught in your wheelchair. Watch out Jon! You don't want your home care nurses finding you that way. Bill had the option of having a twice a week visit from the home care nurses. I wonder how that's going to work out now that Trump's "efficiency" experts Vivak and Elon are "studying" saving money but cutting out Medicaid. Hopefully that's just more Trump bluster but I don't put anything past those two foreigners. To stay warm but some flannel sheets. Nothing like crawling into warm flannel sheets on a cold, frosty, winter's night.
Ron
The wheelchair incident really was humorous - - I never thought anything like that could happen! The first thing that came to mind was Isadora Duncan.
DeleteI'm glad you're doing well alone in your home, enjoying peace and freedom. And I sure hope Medicare isn't cut.
..we need it!!!
Take care Ron. Hugs.
and Medicaid, too.
DeleteSending positive vibes your way :)
ReplyDeleteIf they touch the third rail of public health care and social security they’ve had it. That third rail will give them quite a shock.⚡️
I sure can use positive vibes! Thank you for your thoughts.
Delete