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!