Thursday, May 13, 2021

Feeling Better, Today

Bottlebrush Tree (with red flowers)

Today, I am feeling so much better. 

Last night, I was in pain, but, eventually, the pain wore off.  I was calling out and praying aloud in pain and my daughter joined me in praying and she was crying.  So, I began to sing and she began to sing, too.  I started out with a Buddhist devotional song called "Danno Budunge" which is a song I learned in my childhood and my daughter, too, learned as a child attending religion classes at our temple.  From there, we sang my mother's favorite song, "Whispering Hope" and other family favorites and, somehow or the other, the singing was a good antidote to my pain!  By the time we finished singing, I wasn't in pain and was able to go to sleep.  I woke up at 6:00 a.m. to take my medications that the doctor had prescribed.  After which I slept again.  

I woke up feeling minimal pain.  Was able to go to the bathroom and back without too much pain, afterwards.  I am actually able to sit up in bed without pain, which is a blessing!  

According to the ER x-rays, I have some bone spurs and lumbar facet arthropathy (fancy name for arthritis) as well.  I have an appointment with my primary care physician (her office is finally open after being closed due to Covid since last March!) on the 25th of May.  There was no earlier appointment available.  I am on an anti-inflammatory medication and a pain medication that my primary care physician had prescribed; they and extra strength acetaminophen (again, with the doctor's approval) are what I am taking.  I am trying not to take the pain medication the ER doctor prescribed, as it is a narcotic and I'd rather not take it.  It's the same medication I was prescribed after my lumpectomy surgery, which I didn't use that time, either.  I don't want to risk getting addicted to anything!

I asked friend M to stop by and water the garden, yesterday, which he did.  I tried to pay him a little extra for this extra visit, but, he wouldn't accept any payment, saying I was a friend and like family.  Such a kindhearted person.  

The monks at the Temple have been calling and checking on me, saying they have been mentioning my name during their morning and evening blessing services; family, friends, and neighbors, too, have been calling and checking on me and my daughter.  I don't know if I mentioned it before, but, my aunt C and cousin N dropped off some soup on my front door step on Monday night, which was so very kind of them and much appreciated by both my daughter and I; I've been having that soup these past few days.  Daughter made some delicious teriyaki chicken, too, which was lovely.

We also enjoyed the first 4 or 5 ripe blueberries from one of our bushes!  

Today, my late friend Irene's two daughters came to see me; they now live out of state, but, they were down here on a visit.  We were all masked and with both daughter and I being fully vaccinated, I was happy to have them visit.  When I thanked them for visiting me, M said, "You came to see my sister T when she was in hospital and you were there for me when I needed you; of course I had to come to see you".  That was so sweet of her.  I had dreamed of my friend Irene, earlier this week, on the day before her birthday.  

Today, I am grateful for:

- Feeling better
- The healing power of prayers and song
- My daughter for being the amazing caregiver she is
- For modern medicines
- For family and friends, and I include all of my blog readers in that category; thank you so much for keeping my daughter and me in your thoughts and prayers.

Today's joyful activity was finally feeling well enough to sit up in bed (propped up on pillows) and comb out the tangles in my hair!  

Hope all is well with each and every one of you.  May you all be blessed.


26 comments:

  1. So pleased to read this, and know you have good people around to help you. Love and prayers xx

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  2. I am so glad you are feeling better. It sounds like it was some rough going for a while there. I'm thankful you are surrounded with good caring family and friends too. Keep resting Bless and just take good care of yourself.

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  3. Its so good to hear from you. I'm glad you are feeling a bit better. When you've felt as bad as you have, even the smallest improvement can be such a blessing.
    Many people care for you - including your blog readers :)
    I'm glad you are being well looked after.
    I hope you have continued improvement.
    Take care.

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    1. Thank you, Debra. There was a bit of a twinge, this morning, but, I managed a walk around the house because I need to exercise the leg a little. But, I'm doing better, thank you. :)

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  4. So happy you are feeling better. You are so fortunate to have your daughter with you to offer a hand and a voice to your troubles.
    I will admit I am a big enough nerd to have found your prayer song on YouTube. Even though I have no idea what the words were, the song is beautiful. I will also admit that as soon as I read about "Whispering Hope" I joined in singing it remotely.
    Continued prayers and wishes for pain free days.

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    1. Thank you, Anne. I am so blessed to have my daughter home at this time when I really need her. I'm glad you found the song on YouTube. I tried to find one that had the words in English, but, there wasn't. The words basically say that those who know about the Buddha's teachings and beneficence will realize and observe an ethical way of life and then, goes on to describe the monks and their services and, in the last verse, describes the beauty of one of the ancient cities which is a place of pilgrimage in Sri Lanka (it's traditionally taken to be the city where Buddhism was first established in Sri Lanka).

      Thank you for joining in with singing "Whispering Hope". :) Maybe we should try to arrange a "sing along" one day!

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  5. I'm so pleased to hear that you have the pain under control and that you have a follow up appointment with your doctor before the end of the month. It's lovely to hear that you have such wonderful support, both physically and spiritually. You are in my thoughts and I pray for a quick and complete recovery for you.

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    1. Thank you, Eileen. I am feeling better, now. I had a bit of a twinge, earlier, this morning, but, I have taken a short walk around the house just to exercise the leg a little bit. My daughter is being an amazing care giver and I am so grateful for her help.

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  6. I am glad to hear that your pain has diminished. My mother had sciatic issues some years ago and got hooked on the meds. I have taken narcotics for pain but go off when my condition improved. For one thing they make me feel "loopy" and upset my stomach. What a lovely caring family and friends you have! You are blessed!💖

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    1. Thank you, Susan. I'm very careful not to take anything more than is needed when it comes to meds. And if I can avoid taking narcotics, I'd rather do that. Yes, I am truly blessed when it comes to having caring family and friends. That is where our true wealth is, in my opinion - in good health and loving support from those around us. Hope you and your mom are keeping well, too.

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  7. Glad to hear things seem to be improving, even if in fits and starts. Hope that, once you get to see the doctor, you have a proper plan put in place that doesn't involve longterm anti-inflammatories or painkillers. Meanwhile it's wonderful that daughter is there, but also that you have the moral and practical support of the monks, wider family and friends.

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    1. Thank you, Lady Ella. I had a bit of a twinge, this morning, when I went to the toilet, but, it went away without any additional pain meds, and I managed a walk around the house just to exercise the leg a bit. Not going to overdo things (my daughter was hovering behind me the whole time!) but, need to use my leg to get the circulation moving. I am truly blessed when it comes to having a supportive network of family, friends, and clergy. My mother used to teach English to the monks when they first arrived here and lacked English language skills; they remember and honor her as one of their teachers and my daughter and I receive the benefits from that!

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  8. So glad you were able to get even some relief. My husband and I both live in chronic pain daily.. He's had 11 back surgeries and I have rheumatoid arthritis.. So we understand how debilitating pain can be both physically and emotionally. And it sounds like you have a good support system which is also vitally important too!

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    1. Thank you, Robyn. Oh, your poor husband and you! I'm so sorry you are both in chronic pain! I will know more about my own condition once I meet with my doctor, but, I hope that it is something I can manage with diet (I know I need to reduce my weight!) and exercise. I am so blessed that my daughter is down here with me, working remotely (she normally lives 400 miles away), and I have family and friends to support me.

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  9. Oh, Bless, I'm sorry to hear that you have been suffering. Arthritis is incredibly painful. Sometimes eliminating certain foods, like baked goods, can help. I listened to the Medical Medium on Youtube, and his suggestions really worked for me. I hope you find a solution. Of course, I also had my diseased hip joints removed, which made all the difference. My prayers are with you.

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    1. Thank you so much, Stephenie. I'm feeling a bit better, today. :)

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  10. I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better. I hope you continue to improve and the pain goes away soon. Your daughter is truly a blessing to have there with you. Celie

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    1. Thank you, Celie. I am continuing to feel better and my daughter has been a true blessing! :)

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  11. So glad to hear that you are feeling a bit better. Prayers that you continue to do so. You certainly have a lot of friends and family that care about you and I'm sure that helps. I love that even the monks are checking in on you. I have arthritis in my knee and it can be so painful at times. I know when I walk it feels better, so I try to do some outside walking. Glad you have an appt. with your primary care doctor. Take care! Denise

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    1. Thank you so much, Denise. Your continued prayers are much appreciated. Sorry to hear about your knee, but, yes, walking is good exercise. I did a little bit of walking inside the house, today. Not sure if my daughter will allow me to go outside, tomorrow, but, we shall see. :)

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  12. It is good to hear that you are a lot better and wonderful that you were actually able to alleviate the pain by singing. We are fearfully and wonderfully made! So good that you have caring people around you.

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    1. Thank you, Bushlady. The singing really helped! :)

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  13. I'm so glad to read you are feeling a little better now, and it's reassuring to know you have people looking after your wellbeing. Xx

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    1. I seem to go back and forth with feeling better. The weekend was good, but, Monday was bad. Today is better, again.

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