Moving Along....Slowly

Last evening Les and I attended "Bones, Bites, and Brews", an information session done by our orthopedic clinic at a local brewery.  Les said the beer was good, and the "snacks" were delicious and were our supper.  There were four doctors - my doctor was not one of the speakers this time.  Each one talked on a different problem area.  So we heard about hips, knees, shoulders, and feet - specifically bunions.  Lots of good info on all topics, but I could have done without the graphic pictures of hip replacement surgery.  😕  Thankfully, I will not be awake for it.

There were a few items on our errand list and I decided to give it a try this morning.  Several were accomplished at drive-through windows, and the others I was able to park close, so all went well.  I will admit though, it is getting more difficult to get in and out of the car. 

It had rained during the night and was very foggy this morning but the guys are playing golf today.  Not sure how much of a delay they had on the course, but it is still a little foggy here at the house.

As I was sitting at a traffic light this morning I had the opportunity to take this picture.  Remember there is always beauty all around us if we just look.

Stay safe and remember life is great.  God Bless America!

Updates

I had a second appointment with my new Rheumatologist recently.  He pulled up all my test results and x-rays and went through them all.  The gist of it is my RA is not active.  I do not have any of the many other auto-immune diseases that he tested for.  Some of my random joint pains are probably from compensating for the increasing pain in my right hip and leg.  I do have erosive degenerative osteoarthritis.  Unfortunately there is not much to be done for that other than to treat symptoms.  We talked about the pain and numbness in my hands and he ordered a nerve conduction study so I will have that in April.  He was glad I was getting the hip replacement done. He was very polite and did not mention once that any of this is "age related" or that I just had "old joints". 😊

I have had a call from one of the surgical nurses and she went over all my info, asked a lot of questions, and answered some of mine.  Les and I attended the mandatory pre-surgery class at the hospital today.  It was very informative, although I had heard a lot of it before.  When the class was done I finished up the lab work I needed to get done.  And then we went to Pierce's for barbecue sandwiches for late lunch/early supper!

We are now home for the evening.  It is 50 degrees right now and raining.

Arranging things for the work we are planning for our bathroom updates is coming along.  Decisions made, deposits paid, a few things purchased...... it's not an urgent rush and we're taking our time. 

Life is great!  I have to go try doing the pre-surgery exercises now.  😊  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Art from Cutie Girl!

I just received this cute piece of artwork.  Cutie Girl has been fascinated with dinosaurs for quite a while, and that eventually involved Godzilla and his friends.

I can see Godzilla, Rodan, and Mothra, but I just don't remember the names of the others.  I am sure she could tell  me though!

Life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Things Are Moving Right Along

As Les very sweetly said it, "I guess it does pay to sometimes be an annoying pain in the a**"  😊

In a previous post I expressed my dissatisfaction with the conflicting policies of my orthopedic clinic and our GP clinic.  And while I was treated with less care and concern from the GP clinic, I did politely tell them they should look into the practice because I could NOT be the only patient that has had issues.  A patient could go round and round forever with one saying you can't get the surgery clearance until you have a surgery date and the other saying you can't have a surgery date until you have the clearance. 

But....... after nicely expressing my frustration to both sides, I now have a surgery date and just had the appointment for the pre-surgery clearance this morning.  Also, the hospital pre-surgical training coordinator has called and set us up for a required class.  And....we are signed up for "Bones, Bites, and Brews", an information series set up by the orthopedic clinic at Traditions Brewery.  I'll let you know how that goes, should be interesting!  Four of the Ortho doctors will be speaking and answering questions.

Les got a lot of yard work done yesterday, raked and cleaned up all the mess from the recent high winds.  The yard looks so much better.  Today is sunny and in 50's and he is playing golf. 

Because I anticipated possibly having blood work done at this morning's appointment, I did the fasting.  Turns out my doctor did want to go ahead and do the labs, so I was  glad I was prepared and did not have to go back a second time.  Of course that meant I didn't have breakfast and coffee until about 11:00.  This picture a friend posted on FB is very fitting.  Thanks, Jeanette!

So, life remains great!  Remember to keep a sense of humor and positive outlook.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Just Checking In

It is still wet and raining here.  Big puddles in the yard.  Ground too wet to walk on.  Sigh.

I am getting along with my cane and doing what I can.  Les and I went out and did some errands yesterday.  I sat in the car for some of them.  😊

As far as I know, the girls and families are all okay.

Life remains great, even if challenging.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

P.S. I am still waiting on more artwork from our grandchildren, but I am happily sharing another one of Jordan's pieces!

She calls this one Fruit Land.  Lovely!

Issues With "Big Medical"

So.... I am frustrated.

A year ago I started having pain in my right hip and down my leg.  My orthopedic doctor said bursitis.  We tried a course of steroids.  We tried cortisone injection.  I did a couple months of physical therapy.  And then I had bursectomy surgery.  The pain was better for a while, but it is now back with a vengeance.

Les and I saw my orthopedic doctor this morning.  The first question from his assistant was did I want a cortisone injection and I politely told her "no, thank you".  She smiled and hurried out of the room.  We talked with my doctor, some x-rays were taken, and the gist of it is the degenerative OA in my right hip has worsened and I need hip replacement surgery.  If you've been following my posts you might remember that I have said I would like to get through one year without any more surgeries.  Obviously that is not happening this year.  Hence the great  mood I am fighting as I write this.

And here is the reason for my frustration.  My orthopedic people can't put me on the surgery schedule until they get a surgery clearance from my GP doctor.  So I called and also sent a message through the My Health program.  My GP doctor is on vacation and will not be back in the office until Monday.  AND.....they won't schedule an appointment for me for the clearance until I have a surgery date, which I can't get until I have the clearance form signed.  I lost count of how many unhelpful people I talked to at Riverside trying to explain.  They said no one else can sign the form.  (I wonder what happens if someone's regular doctor is abducted by aliens or falls off the earth or something?)  I was willing to see another doctor.  No, has to be my regular doc.  So, Monday morning, bright and early, I will be on the phone telling them I WILL be seen.  And the way I am feeling right now, if I have to go down to the office and poke someone with my cane, I just might do that.

And another note, I am pretty sure that one of the unhelpful and unfriendly people I spoke with this morning was the same woman who told me when I arrived for a previous visit a couple months ago that I had cancelled that appointment and wouldn't be seen.  My doctor's nurse was very upset when I told her about that.  She checked and found out it had been a computer glitch and I had NOT cancelled, which is what I had tried to tell the woman up front.

Anyway, here we are.  I will keep you posted.  It's cold, it's pouring down rain, Les and I got soaked.  Life is good but I have to say parts are annoying today.  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Thanks to I Can Haz Cheeseburger for the picture.  It sums up my feelings right now.

The Beginnings of Art

This little piece was done by Cutie Girl.  I am looking forward to seeing more!  This is just the beginning........

In other news, yesterday was full of weather.  We had rain, thunderstorms, and a tornado watch.  Today we have a high wind warning and as I write this, Angus and Finnigan are nervous about "stuff" blowing around outside and hitting the house and sliding across the roof.  (Cecil is napping)

Life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

Some More Art

My previous post had a lovely piece of artwork from Bloomer. I hope to get more of hers to post!  I also have hopes of posting artwork from all the grandchildren. I asked Jordan to share some pictures with me.  She sent me several and here is the first I will post.  She says this is from her first year art class at ODU. 

This is called "Tiger Group Project".

As I get new art pieces, I will be posting, so keep watching! 

Life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!

This and That

A post-Super Bowl rehash........ "our" team wasn't playing so I was watching for the commercials.  😊  And there were some really good ones this year!  I especially liked the one with Bill Murray, the one with Jason Momoa, and almost to the end of the game the one with Sylvester Stallone, plus a lot more good ones.  Of course, there were some clunkers and a few for things and companies I've never heard of, too.  The half-time show was very "busy".  I was not impressed by the audio broadcast or by much of the music, but I appreciate all the energy that was put into it.  (was that a nice way to put it?)

In other news, Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow and predicts an early Spring.  It's supposed to be near 70 today here.  Les is playing golf.  I thought Phil did a great job in the commercial last night, too.  

My appointment with the new Rheumatologist went well.  He was very nice and spent a lot of time with me asking questions and talking.  He ordered new lab work and some x-rays.  I go back to see him in a couple weeks and find out what he recommends.  Until he is sure what is going on he does not want to prescribe any new medicines.  He did say he is not sure that my increased joint pain and muscle weakness is from the RA.

Jacquie is busy with work and home and the girls are doing well.  Little ones getting ready for Valentine's Day.  School is going well for all.

Pam says they are all doing okay, too, and everyone is busy.  Bloomer's art class just had an art show.  Here is one of her pieces.  I love it! Good work!

As always, life is great!  Stay safe and God Bless America!