Movin on...painfully

Good morning. Happy Day after Valentine's Day....I am not a big fan or into VD for a number of reasons. Since cards have risen in price to $5.00 a piece, I make my own. I think that is much nicer and more personal. Yesterday, I bought a glue stick, construction paper, and flair pen and made my own. Usually, when I give dad a card, he opens it, reads it, and basically throws it out (although I know that he appreciates the gesture).  Let's just say he's not a romantic guy.

I also put a kabbosh on gifts (although I give them). Yesterday, I gave dad dental floss (which he needed), the big Lefty got Tums (since his stomach is in an uproar with school), and Tink got organic cough syrup since she has been coughing non stop for two days. Hey, I give the gifts that matters.
Did I get something? Yep, even though I wanted nothing but a verbal 'I love you', I got a box of wine and flowers. Both are nice but I have given up drinking. 


What? BPM, say it ain't so! OK, here is how it went down  or actually, how I went down....

Fade to black....

In October, our tennis team was preparing for the nationals. Yes, I said the nationals! Our little team that never did, actually could. I made a birthday wish last February in front of the girls and wished for a trip to the nationals. Who would have thought that birthday wishes could come true. Thanks to Ice for remembering my wish and reminding me with a video she took as I blew out the candles before the restaurant burned down.

Anyway, we were heading to nationals in Orlando...that's right...Mickey Mouse, sun, convertibles, gators, and snakes...plus a long weekend with a spectacular bunch of women.

Back to practice. So, I am practicing with Lil T against Yogi and Doc. Freakin' Doc hits a high ball, which I went after, then cross court. My size 11 shoes (more about those later) turned and I went down on my left wrist. Not wanting to show intense pain, I got up, lost the point, and secretly knew that it was broken. Did I stop playing? Uh, have you been reading this blog? Naturally, I kept going secretly hoping someone had to run to an appointment. 

Afterwards, I drove home and went to an Urgent Care center for an X ray. The radiologist read the x ray...no break. Just a sprain....I was told to wear a splint for a few days.

Did I stop drinking then?

Nope.

Anyway, the following week, we went to Orlando. I wore my splint except to play. I lost my two matches. Oh, the pain.....not in my wrist...in my head. I was mortified that I could not pull out at least one win. Shucks!

Did I stop drinking then?

Nope.

On to the holidays where I had the family over for Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve. I went back and forth to the south carrying my luggage. I cleaned out the house, carried groceries, and basically continued to lead my life. All the while, the wrist never healed. I had to stop planks and push ups during classes. But that was it.

Did I stop drinking then?

Nope.

After a few months, I still could not put my sports watch on my left wrist since it was swollen. I knew that something was clearly wrong. So, to Dr G I sheepishly went and he ordered a MRI. It took several days for insurance to approve it, but once they did, I did not get it.

Why? Well, my wrist sort of felt better. So, why incur the cost?

Did I stop drinking then?

Nope.

The holidays were coming to a close and dad and I made the decision to down size. yes, we are going to move. More about that later. As I was cleaning out closets, the wrist started to scream. So I decided to get the stupid MRI done.

Did I stop drinking then?

Nope.

Dr G called when I was in the south with the diagnosis of non displaced scaphoid fracture. Got to see a hand and wrist surgeon.

crud....double crud...triple crud!

Did I stop drinking then?

Nope.

I met a friend of Dr G's who wanted to schedule surgery for two weeks out. Now, I am in a hurry after ignoring the pain for so long, so I said to him "do it today." He laughed and added me to his schedule the following day.

Did I stop drinking then?

Nope.

fast forward to surgery....I know am a proud owner of a pin and bone graft in my left wrist. I am out of commission with a cast until at least the end of March. No tennis. No lifting. No bending the hand or wrist.

Did I stop drinking then?

Yep.

As I went through the surgery, I was on opiods. Yes! Opioids. The doc gave me ten pills. I used 7 and got rid of the rest. I did not drink while taking pain medication and once I was off the meds, I did not want liquor. It must have been a weird anesthesia reaction...or something like that....

So, I have not totally written wine off, but I have given up my 5 pm glass of wine to relax every night with the dogs. Rather, I now have hot water and lemon, which I love more than alcohol. Again...weird? uh, yes....

Now that I am on the wagon except when I go out for dinner or with the girls, I have a cleared head, mind, and have lost a few pounds. I never drank that much anyway, I just joked about it.

Why do I bring up this sobriety? Well, last night, dad gave me a box of wine for VD. Lefty gave me a box of wine for my birthday last week. I might have to send them memos that I no longer partake at home and would prefer a lemon tree instead.

Oh, about the size 11s.....as I aged (yikes), my feet have changed and started to hurt with exercise. The doc told me to have them measured by an expert and buy shoes that they recommended. And I did. And he recommended that a woman who comfortably wears a size 9 shoe purchase a size 11, which I did. I looked like I was wearing clown shoes and slippers when I played. I honestly believe that my shoes were too big which is why I fell and not because freakin' Doc had an amazing cross court shot....just sayin'

And so, I am going to end this diatribe about VD and share what BP Grandpop says: give me the flowers now and not at my funeral or VD day...a wise man......

Peace!

Movin on....slowly....

Good January morning! It was up and at 'em early as Tink needed a ride to work.....why, you may ask?

Well......

It seems the Big lefty hit a massive pothole last night, shredding his tire and bending the rim on his car. He has to go to class this morning and has a job interview at 4p. Needless to say, he needs a car. On the other hand, our Tink has to be at work 5 minutes away at a local school and could be driven. She gave her brother her car and he quickly took it. So, after Tink works, I have the pleasure of driving his car with the bent rim and temporary tire to the auto shop. They know us quite well. I asked them for loyalty points since we are there once a month. They laughed and thought I was joking...I wasn't.....


We just celebrated BP Grandpop's 92 birthday. What an amazing guy. He is more vibrant than he has been in years. I think assisted living has been good for him as he has lots to do, people to interact with, regular meals, and gets his meds on time. He is thriving.


The day before his birthday, I stopped by to chat with him to ask him what he wanted to do. Dr G was going to have a family dinner for him but I asked if he wanted to go to breakfast or lunch. He turned me down. Then he asked if he could bring some of his assisted living friends to dinner. Sure, I think....then he thought for a moment and said that it would not be fair to only asked a few friends when he wanted to ask more and did not want to hurt any feelings. I asked him if he wanted a party at the Club (assisted living) and he replied "Yes!"

Off to get a big Costco cake, balloons, and make arrangements with the director of the Club. She set up the party for their already planned happy hour. Yes, this is my type of place.....one that gives you your meds and offers you an occasional drink. Yep, I can see why Pop loves it.



Anyway, on his special day, Scoob and I stopped by to bring the birthday boy to his happy hour/birthday party. I met more of his posse and was delighted. They call Pop the Mayor because he stops and chats with everyone, fist pumps them, and always has a kind word. Everyone stops me to tell me how much they love him. I can see why. He's terrific.

Before he blew out the candles, I said "make a wish...." He paused and thought...then said to me "I wish for another year. I think I can do some good here....." Yes, this is my 92 year old father who recently lost the love of his life wishing for one more year on this earth. I know God listens, so I might as well order the Costco cake this week for next year.

I am sorry that I have not written but I just had surgery....why?

Fade to black....

This goes back to last February.....I had a big birthday last year...really big...uber big...how big? Well, let me share this one with you. When I was 29, I thought this age was old.....

Back to February. Muscles threw an amazing party with the girls. Most of them were tennis buddies....it was wonderful and humbling. I remember blowing out the candles but not my wish.

Moving ahead to last month, Ice sent a video of me blowing out the candles...my wish was "I want to go to nationals...." Nationals are the tennis nationals in Orlando. For as many years as I have been playing tennis, none of my teams made it to nationals. I really wanted to go and get the tee shirt that said "nationals" on it. Honestly, that's it....

Anyway, we made it to the national tournament in Orlando. The week before, three of my tennis buddies who are on the team were playing with me at a local high school. Things were going pretty well although I lost the first set. Then my partner and I adjusted and were playing better. One of my opponents sent a ball in the air behind me and I went to it, the next shot was cross court. Following the ball? No? I'll get to the point.

As I twisted from backwards running to lateral, I went back and landed on my left wrist. Immediately I knew it was broken. Did I stop playing tennis? uh, no.....

So, I continued until we won the next set, then the girls had to leave. I went to the urgent center, had an xray and was told it was sprained. The doc put a splint on it.

Knowing it was not broken, I was still headed to Orlando the following week. Yep, a sprain was not stopping me from playing in the tournament and getting my tee shirt. No way...no how....

I took Motrin before playing and did fair...not great. Team came in 12th...in the country...not bad....wish it was higher, but all is well. we were there and I got my tee shirt.

Moving through the rest of 2018, I cleaned out the folks' house, moved them, carried large packages, worked out, and so on. The wrist never felt better but people said "sprains take longer to heal..." Ok, I get it.

Finally, I was done. I asked Dr G to check it out and he ordered a MRI. Naturally, I waited until late December and got the news in early January. It's a scaphoid fracture. See Dr. Hand and Wrist .....

Crud....double crud...triple crud....

Dr Hand and Wrist looked at the MRI, my wrist, and planned surgery for the next day. He inserted a little pin and performed a bone graft procedure. I was officially out of commission after surgery and on opioids. 

The first week post op, I did everything I was told to do. My arm was in the air with ice on it. I did not drive while on the drugs nor could I type. Yep, I was disabled and could only use my right hand to type. Problem...I am teaching online courses and supposed to be writing articles as the editor of a magazine. Crud!

As my fingers swelled to the size of large sausages, I needed to see Dr G who unwrapped the badnage, splinted my thumb with an index card and fastened the bandage with duct tape. It looked like MacGyver had his way with my arm.

Fast forward 10 days post op and I have a splint on rather than a cast. I can take it off to shower, but I cannot bend the wrist, lift, nor play tennis. He also told me 'not to fall....' OK, I can't promise that one. How does one prevent falling? I am sure multiple geriatric docs would love the secret so they can share it with their patients. Should I get a cane? Walker? Wheelchair? I cannot promise anyone that I will not fall, 'cause a person never plans it. I will definitely stop roller skating and climbing trees.

Sheesh! I also stopped my nightly glass and wine and don't miss it. With that I have lost 7 pounds.


Was it the booze or the fact that I now go to the gym every day to ward off adding weight? Not sure. I can't lift weights but I can still go to aerobics classes, hit the treadmill and exercise bike. I also do 100 squats a day as my goal is to fit into my pants....yep, the pants do not fit. I can go into the whys at a later date.

OK, I gotta run (ooppps...actually walk as my left wrist is starting to tire and I have to get some work done).

peace!!

Movin on....one year later

Hiya!

Shout out to the Big lefty...it has been one year since the diagnosis. Looking back.....

Fade to black.....

The big guy could not breathe or swallow. Naturally, we thought it was allergies or a combination of issues not related to anything major. But when the ENT suggested that he had ALS, we lit the flares and candles, had the MRI, denied anything life threatening and went on with our lives.


Then we met the neurologist who diagnosed him in ten seconds.....MG he said.....I went pale. Then I thanked God that it was not MS or ALS or a brain tumor. We can do this.

I always use the word "we" because when anyone's child or loved one is ill, it is all about the process of healing and recuperation. No one does this alone. And so, after a weekend in a very large prestigious institution, the battle to regain strength and a quality of life began.

There were doctors' appointments by the dozens, physical and OT, speech therapy, allergists, neurologist, steroids, high blood pressure,  mental breakdowns on my part, and a sense that we can move forward. yes, we can.

Now, a year later, the big guy is at the gym and lifting one hundred pound weights. He is physically fit and mentally strong. He is finishing his masters degree this summer and will begin law school. 

What a difference a year has made.

Have I recovered?

The answer is probably no. The gang at work look at me with pity and compassion. I hate that. I only told my closest friend there and she blabbed to everyone. So, I deal with that when I go in. I am thankful for my home office.

Second, I have no great burning desire to do anything professionally. Yes, I could write, do research, try new things....but I don't care. I only count the days to retirement which is far....far...far....far. away.

I think that I have less patience and more patience, if that makes sense. I have less patience for stupidity and nastiness.

I have more patience and compassion for those who need it.

I have been taught a valuable lesson through it all and think that I may be (I just think it) a better person for it. No one knows, especially me. But I know that I am different. A mother cannot not (hope that makes sense) be affected by her child having a life threatening illness. Will he die from this? No. But his life is forever altered and so is mine.

How do we handle it.

Well, we adjust. That's it. We adapt. We work together and make sure there is plenty of love and support. And we pray....really pray...big time prayers of thanksgiving and gratitude that we are still together in one piece and with help, we will get through it.

Ok, so that is the big story. When life hands you lemons, slice them and add them to a cranberry vodka.....just sayin.....the citrus makes it a healthier drink.

On to newer news. Today is our Tink's birthday. Everyone knows as she has informed people for the last 6 months that her birthday is today. Excited, she got out of bed 5 hours earlier than usual. She's a late sleeper who works an evening shift. Anyway, she is the love of my life. The candles on my cake (and you know I like cake), the whipped cream in my frap. She's all that and more. How lucky am I that this sweet woman is in my life?

Are things perfect? hmmmm......nope. She tries my last nerve on a daily basis and gives me grief.

However, I would not change anything as she is my little girl now and forever.

Dad is actually taking the afternoon off and the Big lefty is taking the night off from pitching lessons. It will be a family night celebrating our Tink.

The best part is that I am not cooking.....bought the cake...and will take her clothes shopping as her gift.

Gang, life is good. It's not easy, but it is good. BPM suggests to keep it real and keep it positive. No one promised us an easy ride. It's all about perspective and how we approach life's problems. I am better with some problems than others but I am managing.

I am thankful for my family, friends, and yes...even the girls at work who look at me with a poor BPM face. For all of you, I feel and am blessed.

Lastly, enjoy each moment, 'cause there is a last time for everything as Brad Paisley sings....

Gotta run...have a tennis match today. Hopefully my feet, knees and eyes can handle it. It's 40 degrees and I am not looking forward to playing in the wind and cold. Guess what? I am so grateful that I can still play and better yet...that someone asked me to play.


Peace!