The cast is off!

I'm just wearing a different kind of brace.

It is a bit less intrusive and not as heavy, but still a  pain in the ....   At least I can remove it to shower.   My hand seems to be permanently deformed, but I can live with that even though it is really ugly.  I want the pain to go away!

 

Hopeful

I will get my arm xrayed this afternoon in preparation for the visit with the orthopedist tomorrow,  I sure hope he will decide that the cast can be removed, although I'm certain he will put some sort of support in place of the cast.  It will be wonderful if it is something I can remove to get a decent shower!

I still have constant pain and need to search for a natural pain reliever that doesn't contain aspirin or the like.  I had some on hand but have used them up.  It is difficult to fathom how 6 weeks have gone by so quickly, but it's also difficult to fathom how quickly the past 5 months have sped by.  I started isolating the 1st of March, as I've previously mentioned.  I don't miss going out too badly, but I would love to shop in a "real" store as opposed to the online version.

I checked the weather forecast today and hate to see that it will be up in the 100 degree range.  It is so nice to have cool air coming in through open doors and windows in the mornings.

My last haircut was before March, and I'm looking pretty bad by now.  All the hair that was short is now at that really aggravating stage.  I try to pull it back, but it slips out a little at a time.  I don't mind it being long, but would like it to be even.  I think that is the least of my worries!

Wish me luck that the xrays today will lead to removal of the cast tomorrow!

 

Still Alive!

I'm hanging on although just barely, at times.  I'm still in constant pain but only take Advil now and then.  Between my injury and lockdown, I can get pretty depressed at times,

The weather is too hot to even be out in the yard for a few minutes.  I've pulled  out most of the plants in my garden except for 2 of them that have a couple of small tomatoes growing.  I had such high hopes for gardening.

My cast is scheduled to come off this coming Wednesday, but I think they will give me some sort of protective sleeve for my arm.   I will be so happy to get this heavy and awkward cast off, although as casts go, it is cheerful and pretty.

I mostly feel sorry for poor Rocky except for the fact that it is all his doing.  It will be a long time, if ever, before I can even take him for a walk.  Jeannie walks him most evenings, but I don't know how long I can count on that.  Rocky and I are a sorry pair! 

The afternoon sun is shining in, making every bit of dust quite obvious,  I know my house needs a complete cleaning, but I don't even care.  It's a good thing because there is nothing I can do about it.   I wouldn't mind getting an honest opinion on whether or not I should even continue blogging,

I sure hope I can find a more positive note next time.  Have a good week.

Slow Going!

I'm still hurting but not quite as bad.  I still can't do very much without getting exhausted, but I'm back on the treadmill and finished day 2 so far.  I'm walking slower and only for about 5 or 6 minutes each day and hope to gradually increase the time and speed.  I'm trying to be very careful, especially since clogs are the only shoes I can get on and certainly couldn't tie shoestrings.

Rocky is being close to perfect, until Arianna & Jeannie come over in the evening to take him for a walk.  He goes out of his mind with excitement and joy.  Jeannie suggested I order a harness for him, which I did.  She puts it on him for the walk and it must work well because she has nothing but praise for him on his walks.

I've no doubt mentioned I watch a lot of youtube as I dont like TV and never have.  Well I found a series on youtube that I've been binging on which features "Amazing Historical Photos".  Each video averages 10-12 minutes, and each photo is on the screen for 6 seconds.  It is a zillion times better than watching anything about Drump.  The period covered goes back to the late 1800's and runs up to the 1940's.  At least I'm not sleeping the day away.

Time is going by entirely too fast when I think about having just another month of summer, which doesn;t really mean much because I'm not going out anyway.    You all stay as safe as you can.  There will no doubt be another round of increase in the virus cases.

No change

I thought I'd check in and say that things are about the same with me.  The pain is still nearly constant, and it is difficult to even look at food most  of the time, with the exception of ice cream!

Since I really can't do even light housework, I can only sit here and look at the dust piling up.  I never was much of a housekeeper, but now things are even below my standards!

So I am wondering how I can begin to get some of my energy back, and I keep thinking about my treadmill.  It has enough safety features as it is specifically designed for seniors, but then I realize I can't wear "tie shoes".   (I can't tie them with one hand!)   I'm very comfortable in my Hefflinger clogs, but not on a treadmill even at a very low speed.  Jeannie wants me to wait to try it when she can be here, and she has a point there.

I hope everyone has a good week ahead.

My cast shrunk!

The cast on my arm went up above my elbow, but this morning the doctor trimmed it way down,  Not only is it lighter but I have a bit more freedom of movement.  Hopefully I just have 2 more weeks to go.  My wrist and arm still hurt constantly, and pain pills don't really make enough of a difference to take them.  One thing I found while in the waiting room is that many people are way worse off than I am.  I just wish I had my appetite back.  I'm afraid to get on the scale these days.

Sacramento is back to cool nights and mornings and I'm loving it.  I won't have to turn on the a/c until Noon or a bit after, although I'm sure it is already hot in full sun. 

Have a good day!

Fingers Crossed

I see the dr. tomorrow and am hoping he will trim the cast so that it is below my elbow.  It's so uncomfortable the way it is, but I should only need the cast for two more weeks if all goes well.   I wish the pain would go away.  The cast just about totally restricts my life and everything I should be doing - little things that I can't do at present.  I feel like I'm totally stagnating, and it's going to continue for a while.

Jeannie had me order a halter and new leash for Rocky, and after walking him yesterday evening she says it makes such a difference.  That is good, and I hope it continues when I am finally able to walk him.  I'm not sure if I will ever be able to walk him again, but it will depend on how the healing goes.

Life is really boring now and I'm still sleeping a lot.  I feel like I will have lost at least a couple of months out of my life, and I admit I'm a little resentful.  One thing I'm looking forward to is a long warm shower without having to keep my arm wrapped up and hanging outside the shower!  Another thing I hope to experience again is a good appetite for food.  It is really difficult to eat because nothing is tempting.  Little things mean a lot.

The weather has been horrendous lately, but we've had a couple of days recently that were below 100 degrees.  The only time I go outside is to water my remaining tomato plants.  My gardening this year has turned out to be almost a complete flop! 

I will certainly be glad when I can write something a bit more positive.  Thanks to those who have stayed with me and offered encouraging words.

Awful weather

It is 7pm and still 100 degrees!  I think I'm still in Sacramento, but I'm beginning to wonder!

Things haven't changed much for me, except that today, nearly 4 wks from the day of my accident, is the first day I've been able to do without anything for pain.  I'm still in pain but it isn't as severe as it was, and it's certainly not worth taking pain meds, with all their side effects.  I am thinking about having a scotch & water this evening to celebrate, although I'll admit that scotch isn't as tempting as it would normally be.

Rocky is absolutely "drop-dead gorgeous" after his grooming session yesterday.  Jeannie drove us there and someone came out to get Rocky, and delivered him back to us about 3 hrs later.  His coat is clean and shiny, and he smells so good!  He wouldn't let them touch his nails though, and I think I will have to take him to a vet who will sedate him and get it done.  I had given him something prior to the appt., but it didn't do the job!

While Rocky was being spiffed up, we drove to a mall in Folsom that has a number of stores that bring your order out to the car and even put it into the trunk for you - Whole Foods being one and Total Beverage being another.  We also got the same drive up service at Target,  What a way to shop.  And while we were waiting at total beverage, we watched an Old Navy store nearby that is having a going-out-of-business sale.  People were lined up outside and way down the sidewalk, maintaining 6' apart, and having to wait until someone left the store so they could let another one in.  It was all very orderly and all wore a mask.  I could only shake my head at what has happened to our way of life.  Of course you always have the people walking around with no mask, but most people understand what could be at risk.

Being in such pain has completely taken my appetite away.  Jeannie fixed several meals for me that I can pull out of the fridge. so I shouldn't starve.  It's just that I don't feel like eating.  It's a shame that I don't feel like drinking either!

Best Time of Day

In Sacramento during the summer, the best would be mornings, up until about Noon.  I went out at around 7AM and watered my remaining tomato plants.  This has certainly not been a good year for much of anything I've done.  Next year I think I might find a teen-ager who would like to make some money to help me get the garden ready for planting.  And I will try to grow a few plants rather than a lot.
 

I recently ordered some things for Rocky, including a halter type device for walking him.  Jeannie reports that it works very well and that he doesn't pull against it.  I also got a box of rope toys, and within a very short time, he had completely chewed one of them to pieces.

Rocky has an appointment this Sat. for complete grooming including a nail trim.  I hope I can sedate him enough to be a good boy about the trim.  If he does well, then I will set up some follow-up appointments for further trimming.  I'm keeping my fingers and eyes crossed!

I've been attempting to do an attitude adjustment and welcome any suggestions and stories of what works for you.  For some reason I could "see" this entire scenario back in early Feb. although no one could have predicted the total failure of the US government at top levels to head off a complete screw up.  So my hopes to cheer up and be positive have been dashed into the ground.
 
On a happier note, I have about 3 more weeks to go with my cast.  The cast actually goes up to and above my  elbow, but the doctor is planning to trim it to below the elbow which should give me a lot more comfort and flexibility.  I have three more pain pills left and will just take one each morning until they are gone.  I hope I never need another pain pill!  By the way, the bright red cast still looks as beautiful as ever,  I am so glad I had a choice of colors, and my eyes went instantly to my favorite color.

Have a good day!

A Quick Hello

I just wanted to give a quick hello and to say I'm still here.  Still in pain, but having a bad time with reactions to the pain meds.  I am not surprised, and under most circumstances I wouldn't be taking a strong drug for this long.

I hate looking at the weather forecast as it seems like we will be hovering around 100 degrees for a long while.  I'm watering the tomato plants and pulling them up when there are no more little tomatoes or flowers appearing.  I had such high hopes for the garden, but I also had high hopes for the summer.

Jeannie booked an appointment for a complete grooming for Rocky.  I am going to give him something for sedation, and hope they will at least trim his claws for the minimum.  If it works I will try to take him weekly until they can get the nails under control.

Take care and I'll try to check in now and then.

Holiday

This is probably the worst holiday in my memory, and I can't wait for it to be over and done with.  It's hard to believe how most people are so casual about gathering in groups and ignoring basic preventive measures against the virus.

I am going medicine free but may go back on them tomorrow.  The pain is constant and is still very strong.  Without the meds I have been able to eat, but don't know what I prefer at this point.  My poor dog is really being neglected.  I feel very unsure of my steps when I walk anywhere around my apartment, so I try to stay quiet as long as I can.

My garden has been the biggest disappointment this year, but now that I 'm so handicapped it's just as well.  

I guess there are many lessons to be learned from the past few months, but I can't for the life of me think what they are.  Just damned rotten bad luck!

4 More weeks to go!

If everything continues to go well, i will only have to wear this cast for 4 weeks longer!  I still have some pain when I move, but it has lessened so that I'm no longer taking the meds.  I still have very little mobility and I've convinced myself to do only what is absolutely necessary and just try to tough out the coming month.  My biggest worry is lack of appetite, and I hope it will return soon.

My poor garden!  I pulled out some tomato plants that aren't doing so well; I am getting a few very small tomatoes - some cherry tomatoes as well as some varieties that should be much larger.   I can only assume that it's a problem with the soil.  I'll continue to pick the fruit as it ripens, and to pull the plants that have no fruit or even flowers.  I go out and water it twice a day - a "must" in the heat of Sacramento.  I'm a little nervous because there are small bumps and low spots in the ground and I sure don't need to stumble and fall!

I hope those of you in the U.S. can stay home tomorrow, July 4th, and out of the crowds.  Maybe we can properly celebrate next year at this time.

Moving along!

I managed to get a shower this morning in preparation for a trip to the doctor.  i also managed to get dressed, although if any of you ladies have a suggestion on getting a bra hooked with just one hand I'd sure like to know.  what an ordeal!  it probably took me 10 full minutes but i finally did it.

jeannie came by last night and must have obtained a refil for my pain meds as she brought me another bottle.  I honestly dont know how i am going to get through several weeks of this, but i will.  I'm starting to get a bit of stomach distress from the meds, even though i always take them with food.

it looks like i might be living in a dangerous neighborhood!  My niece who lives across the way from me told me that  her 18 yr old son broke his foot yesterday and is in a cast.  Two accidents so close, is too close for comfort.

I think I am going to look for someone to walk rocky every morning, which should help his disposition.  Jeannie walks him on the evenings she comes over, but at his age and weight he needs more exercise and I absolutely cant help him, at least until i can get this cast off.  I cant even throw a ball for him to chase. 

GREAT NEWS!  I just got back from the doctor, and the xrays taken show my arm to be healing very well.  In two weeks they will cut part of the cast away - the part that is on my elbow and upper arm.  that will improve my mobility.  they gave me an Rx for a stronger pain med, so i hope it will take away the constant pain.  Maybe i will even be able to eat more!