Friday, July 31, 2015

Catching Up



I know, I haven’t updated my blog in ages.  I didn’t even realize until yesterday, when my friend and fellow blogger Marion, a/k/a the esteemed Princess Dragonfly, nudged me, how long it had been.  Honest to God, I don’t know where time goes.  I could have sworn I had updated since February, but apparently not.  I “meant” to, but stuff happens, you know what I mean?  Today’s a good day to update, I guess.

You all know about the loss I suffered in December.  Life is very different now.  I’m not saying it’s awful, but it’s certainly different.  I still miss my best friend every day, but … you go on.

I’ve been dealing with a spinal compression fracture since 4th of July weekend.  I spent that entire weekend lying down, in the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life.  On the following Monday, I said “uncle” (because I hate going to doctors) and went to the Urgent Care.  After a series of X-rays, they told me that the pain was a result of osteoporosis, possibly combined with some arthritis.  They gave me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory and, basically, told me that it was something I’m just going to have to live with.  Then, they called me the next day and said further study of the X-rays showed a compression fracture and wanted to refer me to an orthopaedist.  I spent a couple of days figuring out a course of treatment that would allow me to get the pain under control.  I tried Icy Hot (works), Dr. Shepard’s Pain Therapy cream (works), Myoflex (works, but not as well), Salon Pas patches (works), and Tiger Balm (really works).  The heating pad also works wonders and, in conjunction with some Ibuprofen once or twice a day and one of the wide array of lineaments I now have on hand, and always sitting with something firm behind my back, I think I have it licked.  I haven’t missed any work (other than a few vacation days), and I politely passed on the orthopaedist since the standard treatment appears to be heat, rest, and pain meds – which is what I’m doing.  I'm taking mega doses of Calcium and Vitamin D, too.

It’s been a hot, hot summer.  Forget everything you’ve ever heard about cool mountain air.  It ain’t happening in these mountains, not this year.  Thank God for AC.  My little SeƱorita Chihuahua, on the other hand, loves basking in the sun right in front of the patio door, no matter how hot it is.  She’s a sweetheart, I love her, and I’m sure she’s extremely bright, but I just don’t get that.


I read Harper Lee’s “Go Set a Watchman.”  I didn’t love it.  I don’t think I’ve become a Philistine.  It simply didn’t move me.

I never post about politics.  I’ve seen too many sites devolve into real nastiness when politics are involved.  In light of the political circus taking shape now, though, I just may have to break my own rule.

Poor Cecil the Lion.  Why would anyone torture a magnificent animal like that, drag out his death for 2 days, and then mutilate his body in such a horrifying way?  Where I come from, you hunt for food; you don’t kill just for some kind of warped thrill.  What happened to him just makes me sick.  And sad.    RIP, Cecil.

There's a Blue Moon tonight.  I love full moons, and it's not true that they make me crazy.  Not too much, anyway.

5 comments:

Marion said...

Wow! You deserve a big ole 'Poor Baby!' I'm sorry you've been through all that suffering, but I'm glad you're back!!

I feel your pain...and RUN if anyone suggests surgery. I wish I'd never seen that quack who destroyed my back & made it 100 times worse. I still have no feeling in my right foot/leg...and bursitis in my left hip. OY! You'd think I'm 90 years old. LOL! Be careful with the Ibuprofen...My dr. told me it causes heart attacks & strokes if you use it regularly. (And it just happens to be one of the few meds that work, of course!). It's always something, right?

I hear you on the poor lion...So, so wrong! I feel the exact same way about 'planned parenthood' butchering unborn babies & selling their body parts. God help us. It's pure evil & Orwellian.

I skipped the Harper Lee novel. I got the impression she never wanted that book published and I prefer to not tarnish "To Kill A Mockingbird" in my fuzzy brain. :-) Hang in there and keep on truckin'! xo

Skunkfeathers said...

You get to feeling better. If laughter helps your pain -- and you're finding them amusing -- I'll keep copying you on some of the scammer email edits. Unless they cause you more pain then I'll stop ;p-)

Serena said...

Oh, don't worry, Marion, I've heard so many back surgery horror stories that I would never, ever have it. I remember what happened with your back and how much misery you endured, too. If it ain't broke (God forbid!), I ain't fixing it. I did hear those recent reports about Ibuprofen and have sharply curtailed my use of it. I was taking up to 2400 mg a day (which the doctor actually said was fine), but now I'm taking only 800 mg and using Tylenol or aspirin if needed. I've also found a natural painkiller called Curamin that works surprisingly well. It's fairly expensive; the best price I've found is at drugstore.com. You might want to try it.

I know what you mean; there's so much pure evil in the world today.

You hang in there, too! Stay cool down there. It's hot as Hades up here, too, although we did lose the humidity today.:)

I'm feeling much, much better, Skunk. Laughter always is the best medicine, and those scammer email edits of yours make me laugh out loud. Keep 'em coming! As many scammers as there out there, I don't know where you find the creativity to take so many of them on. Kudos!:-)

Lee said...

I empathise,Serena...re your back. I went through a few months of agony some time ago...ages actually...it was no fun at all. When I went through what you're going through, I was bedridden for almost two months. It really gets to work on your nerves, too.

The thing that I found at the time that finally rid me of the discomfort, pain and immobility (and I know many scoff at this, but it did work for me...and that is what mattered)...for a few months I used magnets. Check them out...talk to someone who knows about them...do some research. If they work for you great...if not, you've lost nothing. It's worth checking out.

I'm lost for words (polite ones, anyway) about the senseless slaughter of Cecil the lion. Walter Palmer is a weak, pathetic excuse for a human being. He's a despicable coward...as are all others of his ilk.

I've got a copy of "Go Set a Watchman"...but I've not been able yet to bring myself to read it. I will eventually...but I feel I'll be disappointed and perhaps disillusioned...all the reviews I read about it haven't been very positive. I will read it...I just have to work myself up into the right mood to do so.

It's great to hear from you, Serena...I enjoy reading your post...please don't be too much of a stranger. There are many of us here who care...and who like to hear from you. Take good care of yourself. :)

Serena said...

So sorry to hear you've been through this back pain, too, Lee. Hey, I don't scoff at anything. You'll never know if something works if you don't try it. I may very well give magnets a try; couldn't hurt. At this time, I seem to have it under control. I've been virtually pain-free this week; just a few gratuitous grunts and groans.:)

I may read "Watchman" again some day and give it another shot. My initial impression, however, was that I expected so much more from an adult Jean Louise/Scout. I am mindful of the time period in which it was written, but I'd like to have seen a stronger, more worldly and well rounded young woman. She's not what I expected from the courageous, outspoken, adventurous, always curious little girl we all knew and loved.

I appreciate your words of encouragement and will try really hard to keep my blog up to date and not be a stranger.