Good Morning!
I caught a picture of the partridge family one day last week!
Yup! They came back at least this once when I saw them again. So, probably more times. I hope that means there will be more partridges coming to eat this winter. In fact, I relented and put out some seed last night. I will keep my eyes open for voles. Will probably take them a while to find it as they haven't had food here all summer, but Annie and I both miss all the birds.
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Well, even that last round of steroids didn't seem to do much.
I did send a long email to Dr. Ryan (orthopedic doctor who drained my knee) with pictures. Despite him telling me to let him know how I was doing in a month...he replied that there wasn't anything else he could do for me--LOL! Basically handed me over to my new GP when I see her next Monday. Told me to keep in touch with her until I see the rheumatologist October 2nd.
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The steroids don't do much anyways.
So, just living with it.
Another limitation to work around.
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Leah came over Thursday night again but we never did work on cards. She helped me with things around here that are hard for me to do with this hand--like empty ice cube trays, for example. We had a really nice visit and she was able to leave earlier (more sleep).
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When Dagan brought Ian over for Gramma Day on Sunday he emptied out the Litter Genie for me and he and Ian took it to the garage...and they brought out trash for me, too. That Litter Genie is too hard for me to deal with right now with the clunky, painful hand. Got a regular little slim pop-top trash container for scooping duties that is much easier for me to handle on my own.
And Leah brought me that big purple litter scoop. (She got one for Dagan, too, as he's the litter person at their house.) It's much lighter and does work much easier than the big metal one that hangs behind it. The Amazon reviews were correct! Thanks, Leah!
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Needless to say, I haven' been up to much this past week. I think I am going to have to learn to do more things with my left hand. I am doing what I can but I am terribly clumsy--well, totally inept--with my non-dominant hand. Practice-practice-practice, I guess.
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Ian and I watched some more Mighty Machines. (Gramma really enjoys that show.) We finished putting together the doughnut and pizza from the craft kit and then wrapped them up in packing paper that we "decorated" (scribbled and doodled on) for a surprise for Mama and Daddy.
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A bit of chair cuddling is always a spirit lifter! ;)
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I watched the last season of Orange Is The New Black. Been watching a lot of Silent Witness--22 seasons and still counting. I am on season 20! I have tons of good things to watch, thank goodness. Been writing letters--very slowly--when I am able. Still easier to hand write than to type. Not that either is easy--LOL! Hanging in there.
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My guess would be that this will be the new normal until I see the rheumatologist, at least--if not longer--or forever. Waiting for it to go away and thinking that it should...just gets me down. So--can only change my own mind, right? I am working at acceptance of the here and now. Then, if it does change for the better or go away one day--whoohoo! That would be wonderful! But--in the meantime...I shall have to learn to adapt to the new circumstances. After all, it's been 2 1/2 months now. Out of the blue stuff is harder to accept than gradual change, I find. But--I've had years of my body running my life...being the boss of me. Just have to (no matter how reluctantly) hand over even more control. I have soooo much to be grateful for.
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Other than that...
Life is good. :):)
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Till next week, my friends.
I am so very grateful for you all!!
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"A problem is a chance for you to do your best."
Duke Ellington
14 comments:
Comment to get comments--even if I don't get back to you or am very slow if I do because of this hand, I read every single word! :) :) :)
It will be good to have the partridge family around over the Winter - there do seem to be quite a few of them! Is the Silent Witness that you watch the English version or a USA version? I keep seeing Orange is the New Black mentioned but have never see it - we only get Prime here but keep considering Netflicks - there seems to be less and less to interest us on TV these days although there is a new series that has just started called Deep Water which we saw the film crew packing up from in the Lake District in the North West of England, not far from our caravan. One of the stars is Anna Friel. The first episode was good, so looking forward to this weeks! I left you a comment on your last post (actually it was a second comment - the first disappeared!!) Wishing you a better week, Hugs, Chrisx
Hi Rita! It's good to see the partridge family again. I bet Annie especially has been missing them. Our cats love to watch the birds and squirrels. I am so glad you had a Gramma Day! That is great for both you and Ian because I know he loves it. Sorry to see you are still having that swollen hand, a big question for sure. Have you tried putting an ice pack on it to see if that would help? I don't like using ice packs but I have to admit when I put one on my knee it did help. I am so glad you will be seeing a rheumatologist and I'm hoping he can help. Take care and love Annie for me.
What a bum for a Doc ..call him and he doesn't offer any help or suggestions...maybe the nurse didn't even give him your message. I am so sorry you are dealing with all of this...with no rhyme or reason to what caused it and no idea what would make it better. They should probably ultrasound it to find out what it is at a minimum...hope your new Doc is a good one. Stay strong!! .
Too bad your Dr. has passed you off to the new one. Now you know why I have never been to a doctor in 30 years. Hope your hand is better soon.
I had no idea what a Litter Genie was, so did an internet search. At first, I thought it was one of those automatic litter removal machines. You definitely wouldn't be able to lift THAT.
Nice you are spending time with Ian. I have never heard of Silent Witness, but once I finish the series I'm currently watching, I might give it a chance from the beginning. I take it it's on Netflix. If not, I won't be able to watch it.
Have a great day, dear and let us know what your new doc says.
Hi Rita - lovely Leah and Dagan and Ian times this past week, plus seeing the partridges across the lawn. Hope your new GP will be able to sort things out, order needed tests and etc. Hugs.
Joy
The birds will be fun to watch, both for you and for the Annie. Entertainment :) I'm so sorry about the hand and hope the new GP and/or the rheumatologist can offer help. I forget what all you've tried... Does heat help it at all? I appreciate your positive attitude. You certainly are right about the things we can't change.
The partridges are always nice to see.
It is frustrating when things don't help the pain or we can do is take it one day at a time
So sorry to hear about your medical troubles. Hope the GP can help!
It's really a shame that Dr. Ryan wasn't more receptive to your long email. I hope you have better luck with your new GP.
I admire your positive attitude despite all of your problems. It's an inspiration.
During these past few years I have become extremely bitter and pessimistic with my increasing health issues - - but I've found that a sense of humor sometimes helps.
I'm glad to see the partridges are back!
Dear Rita, as we age, I believe that we are called again and again by our inner selves to live in gratitude for what has been and will be and is. The hard thing is finding the good in the immediate problem. And you know this better than most of us. But somehow you always find the good. Peace.
Thanks for sharing the photos of the cartridges as I have never seen them. Your hand looks very painful and I hope your rheumatologist can help. I have RA and Sjogrens so know what the pain is like but there are some helpful medications on prescription. I take a lot of meds. just to be able to keep doing everyday things, the problem is the side effects. Hope you get some relief soon, I am thinking of you.
YAY...the partridges are back! Our spring starts on September 1st. You will be going into Fall/Autumn.
Yes, even with long term steroid treatment, Mum's rheumatoid arthritis worsened as the years went on. Steroids can't stop it but they can help ease symptoms and pain thereby slowing it down a bit. They no longer use steroids to treat RA as other drugs were found to be more effective. Not that you have been diagnosed with RA but I think it could be something similar judging by the pics. I'll be glad when you see the Rheumatologist in October. Orthopaedic specialists only handle the musculoskeletal conditions which they have ruled out in your case. Best of luck.
I'm glad McFamily are helping you with things around the house. It helps to make things easier for you to manage. It's so hard to find yourself more limited. I feel for you.
In the midst of a letter to you.
Love and hugs xo
Sorry to hear that your hands and body are giving you challenges. Sounds like you are trying to find some ways to adapt to the difficulties you are facing.
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