Tuesday, May 12, 2020

All About Me

Monday I had a phone appointment with my cardiologist to get the results of my last echo cardiogram. The news was good. There was again hardly any progression of the aortic valve stenosis. I am good to go for another six months, and most likely well beyond that. 
After two months of off and on misery from sciatica caused by an aggravated bulging disc, I emailed my primary care doctor. Last Friday I had a phone appointment with her to go over symptoms and decide on a plan. I am on the list for physical therapy once my medical clinic re-opens, which is expected after May 18th. The good news is I might get some help. The bad news that I might have to live with chronic pain. The doctor didn't say that, but the printed material she emailed to me did. Since the condition seems to be getting worse, not better, I'll take whatever help I can get. 
I wear my hair very short, shaved up the back. After two months without a haircut, the grow out isn't bad except for the ugly hair on my neck. Yesterday I had Tom use the edge trimmer on his razor to shave my neck and clean up the hairline. I am very happy with the results and I think I'll start wearing my hair a bit longer when I can finally get a real haircut. Tom does not want to be involved when my bangs get too long though. :-)
Oh, and I finally shaved my legs! I know, probably too much information, but some of you can relate. I never wear skirts or dresses, and during most of the year I don't wear shorts or short pants. Shaving my legs, with my back issues, is hard. Now that I have removed the winter wool, I guess I'll have to keep it up. 

In news not about me, we visited my sister Laurie last week in her home a long drive away, staying not always six feet apart, but with no hugging. We took her some tomato plants and the genealogy project Tom was doing for her, to finish up what her late husband was putting together. Losing her husband in early January has meant an added loneliness factor during our self isolating, but fortunately she has children and grand children near by. 

Today Tom's sister came for a visit. We stayed outside, sheltering under the cedar tree during a light rain. She kept her mask on. She also picked up her tomato plants and some geranium cuttings. Tom's plant nursery is now almost dispersed. This week we'll plant our vegetable garden. 

Life goes on, one day at a time, and most of the time I even know what day it is!

14 comments:

  1. You're doing better with haircuts than I am. I needed a haircut when we got shut down. Now I'm well on to pony tail territory!

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  2. I have also been a victim of off and on sciatica from two ruptured discs that happened to me over 20 years ago. I learned a bunch of great physical therapy exercises then that have helped a lot, and I really hope that when you get to go to a physical therapist that they come up with some exercises that you can do at home that will help you too. So glad to hear the good news about your heart.

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  3. Your hair looks really good from what I can see. Tom did a good job.
    I'm sorry that you might have to live with chronic pain. I hope that doesn't come to be but if it does I'm sure you'll face it with courage and aplomb.
    Your Columbines are lovely. Years ago I bought a Nora Barlow and now many of my new plants are neither here nor there. I feel I should dig out all the ones I don't like and start afresh. I prefer the regular, large flowered ones.

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  4. My mother-in-law had sciatica. She always carried on but I know it was painful. I hope that you are able to get relief -- keep visualizing the best case scenario.
    Your hair looks nice. Mine is in a ponytail now! Hair salons opened here this Monday, but I am not going to get in line to be among the first customers.

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  5. I laughed at your shaved legs - mine haven't been shaved since last year some time BUT I did shave my arm pits the other day - my "ode to Spring"!

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  6. I enjoyed hearing all about you. Your hair does look pretty. It scares me to hear about your (maybe) having to live with chronic pain, especially since I've just finished a full month of Ibuprofen and another spinal injection, and my pain is back, again. The ruptured disc and sciatic pain is just so unbearable. I'll be hoping for the best for you.

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  7. At first I thought Tom had used the edge trimmer for the lawn on your hair! It does look really nice, I think. I'm getting very shaggy too but don't seem to care much. Who sees it other than my guy? And I had to laugh at your description of the hair on your legs. I don't have enough to matter, just a stray one here or there. I do hope you will get some relief for your back issues, but good news on the heart front! I enjoyed it being (mostly) all about you. :-)

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  8. Tom did a very nice job of your hair. I'm at the point I'm nearly ready to start hacking away at my own hair but I'm too afraid of what it might look like.

    Hope your sciatica can be relieved. Take care and stay well!

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  9. Like Djan, I read that too quickly and for a minute I thought he took a hedge trimmer to your hair. I admired your courage:)
    I do hope you can finally get some relief for your back. These are hard times for those of us with non-life threatening complaints. Congrats though on the good echo. Keep that up.

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  10. You are doing reallly good if you know what day it is. Ha...
    I am about ready to tackle my husband's hair. He looks like a wolly bugger. I get my hair cut friday. I will wear a mask. My stylist will too.

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  11. the only day i know which day it is is by my pill bottle. Today i went to visit my friend caryn...we kept social distancing, talked and worked on collages, had lunch by her waterfall-will post some photos later. So nice to talk and talk with my friend-she's soon gone for the summer months as it gets too hot here. We've been in email/phone contact for the past two months but it's not the same...

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  12. I am happy if you are happy. Good news about the aorta stenosis.

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  13. Sorry to hear that you'll be living with chronic pain but good news from your cardiologist is a relief. Must go back and catch up with your exploits!

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  14. Tom is a hair stylist! I am thankful for long hair that I can wear down or up! (Think old lady bun!) Good news on your heart...and I hope you get some help at physical therapy. I know my Mom feels better when she does her exercises everyday. She has disc problems too and the Drs told her now gardening on your knees:(

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