Week of October 13th Chat

Holy Hannah!  We went from in the 70's yesterday to in the 40's today.  Barely into the 40's!  Yikes!

So, DH is once again threatening to wrap me up in bubble wrap.  I went out to take our take out containers to the garbage can last night.  There are several long steps below the porch steps since the yard is terraced I guess you'd call it.  Under the porch itself is a retaining wall.......2 or 3 feet worth of walking room and the bottom of the porch to hang on to.  So I dropped the trash in the can from up there, and as I reached to stand up with an assist from the porch, lost my balance and went *** over teakettle, bounced off the big plastic trash can and then continued on my way to the gravel drive.  Owie.  I almost passed out, and I'm surprised the guys heard me from inside trying to call out since the wind was knocked out of me.  Theo definitely heard and was having a fit, though.  GOOD boy!

I landed on my back, have a badly bruised right kidney, bruised ribs and assorted bruises that look like I went 10 rounds with a Mac truck.  I'm pretty much ok unless I cough, or get up or down.   Sneezing is not fun either.   But, I can be seated without a problem, or moving and walking around without a problem.   It's the ups and downs that kill......Then my body reminds me that I abused it without trying to.

DH insisted that I had fallen 5 feet.  I knew it wasn't that far so I measured it.....at 41 inches thats a heck of a lot less than 5 feet!  Still thank goodness for the trash can!

Think I'm due a hot soak in the tub!

@glenmar

Holy Hannah! We went from in the 70's yesterday to in the 40's today. Barely into the 40's! Yikes!

So, DH is once again threatening to wrap me up in bubble wrap. I went out to take our take out containers to the garbage can last night. There are several long steps below the porch steps since the yard is terraced I guess you'd call it. Under the porch itself is a retaining wall.......2 or 3 feet worth of walking room and the bottom of the porch to hang on to. So I dropped the trash in the can from up there, and as I reached to stand up with an assist from the porch, lost my balance and went *** over teakettle, bounced off the big plastic trash can and then continued on my way to the gravel drive. Owie. I almost passed out, and I'm surprised the guys heard me from inside trying to call out since the wind was knocked out of me. Theo definitely heard and was having a fit, though. GOOD boy!

I landed on my back, have a badly bruised right kidney, bruised ribs and assorted bruises that look like I went 10 rounds with a Mac truck. I'm pretty much ok unless I cough, or get up or down. Sneezing is not fun either. But, I can be seated without a problem, or moving and walking around without a problem. It's the ups and downs that kill......Then my body reminds me that I abused it without trying to.

DH insisted that I had fallen 5 feet. I knew it wasn't that far so I measured it.....at 41 inches thats a heck of a lot less than 5 feet! Still thank goodness for the trash can!

Think I'm due a hot soak in the tub!

Glenda -- learning to consider "body mechanics" when you're used to just being able to "do it" ain't easy.  I am so sorry you smashed your lil self up!!!  Not fun!!

Got any Epson salts?? Add it to the bath!  Will help.  If you can get Traumeel cream or gel it WILL help break up the bruising and help you feel bettah!!

Jackie -- this is the first time I've been able to log in ... I am so sorry Charles (and you) have to go thru this.  But your attitude is perfect -- that you will roll together because it's how you do things.  Amen!!  But I've added you guys to my prayer list.

I am finally home from Chez South Seminole Hosp.  NOT a bad place when you are poorly but .... I'm ready to heal thank you.

Interestingly -- I've had two different doctors offer the thought that altho it is obvious that the muscle spasms I've experienced are what "tore" the hernia I the first place -- it is possible that the hernia repair may have further affects and it may help resolve the whole "nerve trapped in muscle" sciatica stuff.  I would be up for that.

Hopefully this week brings better news for all!

Jackie and Mr. Jackie, I am sending TONS of positive thoughts and prayers your way. Tackling this as a team is such a plus (in my thoughts). Holler if we should send cards--I'm ready!

Callie and Glenda, I'm sending you both lots of positive thoughts, too. I hope you are both well soon!

Tracy, first (from a post last week, I think)--I think Hoopsters are like hula hoops but they stand upright. I tried to download more info, but the link (or my computer) wasn't cooperating. I set up the one I bought (I just got one--it's like a half circle with a stand) and Ronnie barks at it. Go figure! And, on the weight loss thing, I'm paying a lot of attention to what I eat when I can't eat at home. So, now I'm packing lunches (and supper on Wednesdays) and trying to just be careful.  It's hard, especially on the days when I have to visit my student teachers, etc., but that's OK. I've also had to let go of the "clean plate" concept if I do eat out (which is very rare now). As long as I have someone to give the baked stuff to (e.g. my Dad), then I'm all set. No special exercise--just walks with the dogs and work in the garden, etc. Now that it is cooler out, the walks are getting longer!

Doug, keep us posted on Junior's progress! Has he put up a pheasant yet?

Thanks for all the good thoughts. The PET scan showed that there is no other areas involved other than the lymph nodes in the neck and one tonsil, which seems to be the primary source. We'll have a treatment plan soon. Ginger texted me yesterday that she and her hubby are doing well. She goes back to work in a few weeks.

@JackieG

Thanks for all the good thoughts. The PET scan showed that there is no other areas involved other than the lymph nodes in the neck and one tonsil, which seems to be the primary source. We'll have a treatment plan soon.

Thinking of you Jackie <3 Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but please know that I am sending good vibes your way.

My prayers are with you Jackie!  Glenda so sorry to hear of your fall, it really does something to your whole system I know.  Hurry and get well all you guys!

Jackie, you and Charles have been continually in my thoughts.  Good news that the cancer is contained to those limited areas (what is it with tonsils -- they're like appendix -- why don't they just disappear through evolution?  All they do is cause trouble!).  Keep us posted when you're able, and thanks for the update on Ginger and her DH, too.

Glenda, I hope you're not hobbling around too badly after such a tumble.  Our bodies don't bounce back (literally and figuratively) as well once we're over 40!  

Callie, you must be so glad to be home.  Interesting correlation between the hernia and muscle spasms.  I hope you'll be feeling much better very soon.

Kate, I'm going to look up those hoop things.  Now that it's raining, Ruby won't get outdoor exercise as much, so maybe I can set up a hoop in our long hallway for some inside activity this winter!

Doug, I wish I had some of your Honey Crisp apples here.  The last few we bought here just didn't taste good.  A bit dry and mealy . . . I think the best of them have come and gone in our area.  

Car's in the shop today.  It's been burning oil more lately -- turns out I've got some leak in a gasket or someplace.  Between that and a couple other things to be addressed, I'll be coughing up $500 when I pick it up today.  Brakes are going to need work in another 2-3 months.  Old cars can be expensive, but I remind myself it's still cheaper than $500 every month for a car payment!

Forgot to include this.  Thought I'd share something really funny to help lighten the load of the difficult medical news from a few iDog friends.  It may have been shared on Facebook or someplace, but since it involved dogs AND it had me in hysterics, I thought I'd pass it along.  From the most recent episode of John Oliver's show on HBO:

Enjoy!

Had Sky out Sunday for birds.  Went to a small out of the way WMA.  A little rooster jumped right in front of Sky.  I hit it.  Sky had the strangest look on his face.  The bird went up-very exciting-, there was a loud noise-didn't bother pup at all, and the bird fell.  He wasn't sure what to do.  He eventually worked his way in to the bird, but it wiggled, so he backed off a bit.  He worked up some courage and drug it around a bit, then let me have it.  We need more work with the Dokken dummy, but he gets better every day.   Been working "heel" this week and can see improvement.  But he is still a pup.  And the bird was delicious.  I cooked it with apple slices.  

Wife is still canning apples.  Lower branches are all picked.  Praying for an early snow so we can stop.

I think the colors are peaking now, and the yards are filling up.  Need a good wind to blow all my leaves into the neighbors yard again.  The work schedule is lightening up now, and I intend to work fewer days and spend more time in the field or in the wood shop.  Boss doesn't believe I will retire, but the fun is gone and the frustration level is too high..  

There are days when my job drives me bonkers. Today is one of them. And it doesn't help that I feel like I'm coming down with a cold.

Good thoughts for all. TTFN

Doug I am envious! Tina I cannot even describe my current work situation and sadly I have about 4 more weeks of this insanity I just keep telling myself, "you are paid by the hour" We had a great break at the beach and yesterday I put over 12 horrible hours in and feel like I never had a break. So that is my complaining done Jackie and Mr Jackie we are all pulling for you and lifting you both up. You are strong and with all your friends and family battling with you, I feel confident of good results So this training I am delivering is all via Webex. Bugsy seems fascinated by all the voices I guess. Shrugs. I don't know but he is at my side listening to this mess all day. He would normally be at the front door or something but no, he is right here

I took today off.  Mental health day.  Sick and tired of work.  Sky and I went to a small WMA I've hunted with Rags, Bear, and Piper in the past..  It is the place where Piper figured out the game-what we were chasing and what we were going to do with it.  Sky seemed to feel the vib.  He hit a trail, followed it at a dead run through the woods, then flushed the rooster.  Too far to shoot, but thats okay.  He looked to have a grin when he came back.  

He learns quickly.  I carry water for him, and if I say "water", he comes and sits with his head up for a drink.  If he leaves a toy out in the yard, "get the toy" and point and he trots over and brings it back.

He let me rake the burrs out of his coat.  Piper though she would die if her hair was tugged, but Sky just lies there.  Piper go frequent hair cuts to remove burrs.

Took the riding mower to the leaves yesterday yo mulch them up a bit.  Windy day.  Neighbors may hate me for a while.  The leaves came out the mower chute and left my yard.  I should feel guilty, but......

Junior is sleeping at my feet right now.  Three hours out working in the heat.  Todays kids-no stamina.

Jackie continued thoughts being sent your way. Somewhat a relief for you, knowing the cancer seems to be contained to the lymph nodes in the neck and the tonsils.  Callie and Glenda sorry to hear of your misfortunes. Hoping you aren't hobbling around for too long Glenda and not too badly bruised up and Callie hoping this surgery does solve some of the other problems for you. Boy Tracy your friend was very lucky. Things could have been so much worse. Good dog for coming back to check on Mom and staying with her. And now I have another forum problem question. Question...How do you tell when the last post to a topic was? When I scroll down thru the topics, it just tells me when the topics were started. In order to know when the last post to a particular topic is, you have to open each topic. For example this Topic "Week of October 13th Chat" says 9 days ago and in order to know whether there have been recent posts to it, I have to open it up. Well, i do for this as this is what I'm most wanting to read to keep in touch, but there may be some other things I'd be interested in, if I knew they had recent posts. But I'm not about to go and open all the different topics to see when the latest response is. Am I making sense and if I am does anyone know how to do things differently. 

Maureen, if there is an easier way, I'd like to know what it is too.

The kidney seems to have bounced back, no more blood in the urine.  What is hurting the most is the bruised ribs, and man oh man!  They tell me that bruised ribs are worse than broken...kind of wishing now that I'd landed hard enough to do that!  My allergies are going nuts and the coughing is enough to send me through the ceiling.

Hoping Callie is at the end of the muscle spasm road, and that Charles and Jackie have a plan of action.

Thanks you guys for your concern. We do have a treatment plan which will be a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. We'll meet with those two doctors on Monday.  We're doing our best to stay positive.

I haven't heard from Ginger but hoping that no news is good news.

Stay well everyone and hug those you love.