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| Red Rose on the Front Lattice |
I had a fairly good day, today. I woke up with a little tightness and a bit of a twinge in the leg, but, I didn't need to take any pain medications for it and it eventually went away.
I slept well, last night, although I kept waking up from weird dreams, and then, slept in, this morning. I slept through M coming to water the garden mid-morning, although my daughter was up and able to bring him up to date with what's been happening. He will be here to prop up the peach tree on Friday.
I spent most of the day propped up in bed, but, in the early evening, around 5:00 p.m., my daughter allowed me to walk around the house just a bit and even go outside for five minutes! I could feel how swollen my foot was when I put on my shoes and socks, but, I was able to walk out to the front garden. I didn't actually walk about in the garden; I stood next to the pomegranate tree and asked daughter to take pictures of the red rose that is growing up the lattice by the front door.
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| Red Rose Climber |
I can't remember the name of this rose and I don't think it is a climber as such, but, I've been trying to train it to grow up the lattice. M didn't prune it, last year, and I think I will ask him to refrain from pruning it this year, too.
After daughter took the photos for me, I went back inside and stood by the back door while she checked on the peach tree, picked a couple of peaches that had fallen, and picked a handful of blueberries that we shared. By then, the back of my knee felt tight and so, I went back to bed, to sit with a pillow propped up under my knee!
Today, we scheduled an appointment to do my blood test on Friday afternoon. The doctor's appointment is still scheduled for Tuesday. My daughter will drive me to both and back (she has already emailed the request for time off from work to do so).
I spent the day relaxing, exchanging emails, and chatting with people. A friend sent me an email with pictures of her son's front garden full of beautiful tulips and other flowers that I enjoyed seeing. Then, there were the daily emails I exchange with one of my other longtime friends. I spoke on the phone with friend R, with cousins P and V, and with Aunt C. I also received a video chat from my step-father's sister (Aunt S), which was lovely.
I had some cheese crackers with my morning medication at 6:00 a.m.; lunch was a salad with the last of the roast chicken. The rest of the packet of cheese crackers was eaten when I had to take the 5:00 p.m. medication. Dinner was rice and stir-fry; daughter had the last of the rice and stir-fry for her dinner. We will have some cantaloupe a little later, as a late night snack.
My daughter watered all the houseplants for me, checked the mail, and cleaned Dancer's litter box. The mail included this week's grocery ads, but, we still have what she bought last week, so, I'm not sure if she'll do more grocery shopping this week. However, her favorite coffee is on sale for $5.99 each, if you buy 5 or more. It's almost time to think about stocking up for when she has to return to Berkeley, in another month or so (she's planning to go back in July).
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| Red Rose |
Today, I am grateful for:
- Another pain-free day
- My daughter being here for me
- Emails, phone calls, and video chats with family and friends
- Fresh peaches and blueberries from the garden
- Roses
Today's joyful activity was stepping out into the garden to see the plants!
No plans for tomorrow, other than reading, knitting, and relaxing.
How was your day? What are your plans for tomorrow?
Take each day as it comes...I overdid yesterday and slept late this morning. Revelling in the fact that retirement means I can do that now! The nearby pharmacy/medical centre has got us completely into the system now, so we were able to stroll round after lunch yesterday to collect our meds - but they do deliver if you cannot collect in person, which is good. Hope you have another pain free day - and thanks for your comment on my blog this week, I will let you know if I ever get to the USA again, and call in to see you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Angela. Yes, I'm taking each day as it comes. I tried to sleep earlier, but, my foot swelled up and started to hurt. So, now, at 4:00 a.m., I am up! I took two Tylenols (acetamenophen) for the pain and have my foot propped up on pillows to try to get the swelling down. I tried icing it, but, that hurt!
DeleteGlad your nearby pharmacy/medical center has you in their system and you have the option of going in person to collect your meds or having it delivered to you.
It sounds like you are enjoying your retirement. Hope you both find it an easy adjustment, although, I've a feeling you will find lots of things to do to keep yourselves nicely occupied before too long. :)
Your climbing rose is beautiful! I'm glad you are still resting and not doing too much Bless. Keep taking it easy. I hope today is another good day :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. I didn't have such a good night, last night, after all - lots of pain, again, towards morning and a very disturbed night of sleep for both myself and my daughter. I am resting and taking it easy, today, too. Praying for a day without pain.
DeleteIt's good to hear that you had another pain free day - long may that continue. At least you got some fresh air even if not for long, and the continued support of your daughter, friends and family must be comforting for you.
ReplyDeleteThe red rose is beautiful. One of my new roses is red and I hope it looks as good as yours.
Thank you, Eileen. It turned out to be a rather bad night, after all, and I had to take some medication for it (over the counter pain meds, not the prescription strength ones). A very disturbed night of sleep, especially for my daughter who kept waking up to tend to me. I'm just resting, this morning, and praying.
DeleteI'm glad things seem a little less out of control now, but it's a shame you couldn't bring the doctor's appointment forward. I hope there won't be any further bad flare-ups between now and next week. I sympathise with your being unable to get things done yourself but hopefully after the consultation you'll have a clearer idea what you can and can't do (and hopefully treatment that enables you to get back to approximately normal). Meanwhile it sounds as if daughter is doing a great job of keeping most things ticking over while you're laid up. Fingers crossed for the garden/veggies.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lady Ella. I had another less than stellar night, last night, with the leg being swollen and painful. A rather disturbed night of sleep for my daughter and myself - I don't mind so much for myself because I can rest, but, she has to work. I am hoping that I will be able to find out just what I can do/should do to overcome this pain. Just taking it one day at a time until then.
DeleteI woke up at 2 am and couldn't get back to sleep so it seemed a good idea to pray for you and for another friend who has pain because she needs hip surgery. I do hope your leg will get better soon.
ReplyDeleteWe got some rain this morning which was much needed. It kindly held off while I was running errands so I didn't even need the umbrella I took with me this morning. Lazy afternoon, but no nap.
Oh, thank you, so much, Bushlady. I really do appreciate the prayers. I'm saying an hourly prayer, today; a novena. It's one my mother used to say; praying to be pain-free and regain the mobility I used to have so I can continue to be independent and take care of myself!
DeleteGlad you received some rain and that it held off so you could run your errands in comfort, without getting wet!
I am not familiar with sciatica pain so I didn't realize that, in addition to your pain, your foot would become swollen. And I'm seeing in your responses that your leg is swollen too.
ReplyDeleteDoes this injury typically self-heal?
Your red rose is very beautiful and is climbing quite well with your training.
This is my first experience with it, myself, Debra. My foot is swollen and it is numb (pins and needles type of tingly numb). The pain hot spots for me seem to be located in the outer upper thigh, back of the knee, and the outside of the ankle bone. There are supposed to be stretches to relieve the pain, but, I am afraid to try any of them until I see the doctor and get her OK. I just don't want to do anything to aggravate the condition, unknowingly! We still haven't determined what caused the initial flare up. I am feeling a little concerned about not being able to do things for myself in the future!
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about your leg, Bless. I hope you have a pain free night tonight. I wonder a hot blanket/towel would help with the swelling.
ReplyDeleteThose roses are beautiful. They look like the silk flowers I bought from the thrift store - deep red.
Thank you, Nil. I have been using heating pads (a homemade rice filled one I made for myself which can be heated in the microwave, one that can be plugged in, plus, my daughter bought a gel-filled one that can be warmed up in the microwave) to ease the pain. But, the doctor said cold packs work best for the swelling; we have been putting the rice filled pack in the freezer, for that, and I've been trying to elevate my leg. As I told my daughter, it is a real "vathayak" as we would say back in Sri Lanka (she just shook her head at me). :D
DeleteThe roses are pretty, aren't they?
I'm relieved to hear your pain is still at bay and it's good to keep resting as and when you feel the need. The red roses around the door look beautiful. X
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jules. It's a good one day, not so good the next day sort of pain, but, I think I am getting better, little by little.
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