Finally Retired

[electra225]

I had retired about two weeks when my wife announced that I needed to get a part-time job. With time, I have come to see the wisdom in that request......

[TC Chris]

I waited 8 days for the back x-rays to be read and when they were not, today I sat down and sent a firm email to the hospital. "What the "deleted" are you doing?" but politely. And firmly. They were read within 2 hours. They showed nothing bad for a guy my age (my brother, the doc, confirmed that). Likely it will be MRI next for further diagnosis.

Chris Campbell

[19&41]

Does a back brace help?

They didn't prescribe one for me, so I guess they didn't think it would do any good. I go tomorrow for my nerve injections, which figures as my back has been pain free for a day and a half (knock wood). I'm going to wal mart and look around for longer than 10 minutes and see how well I hold up.

[19&41]

They gave me the first injections last week. I wasn't in much pain when they did it, and not much effect afterward. During the last week the pain has diminished to nearly nothing. Personally, I don't think the injections had anything to do with it. I did some yard work today. it was the first exertion I'd had this last 2 months. I blew leaves and debris out of the corner of the yard where I'd set up a 1/4" mesh hardware cloth burn basket for my sensitive documents My back didn't hurt doing this, but my back lost all strength to remain upright on my right side. I had to go sit down for 5 minutes at a time, then i could just stand up straight and go on for another 5 or 10 minutes. I trimmed a few branches with my pole pruner and that did me in. Thankfully, I'm in no pain. I must've been a sight picking up all my tools bent to the right like a little teapot short and stout. I hope I ain't got this to expect in my old age.

[William]

Good news you were at least able to do some chores and with no pain. Backs are weird parts of our bodies. Most of my life mine has gone through fits where I can hardly functions and the a few days later it is ok. I will admit I have abused it most of my life so I guess during those times it was getting even with me. Hang in there and I hope things continue to improve.

Bill

[danrclem]

I'm glad to hear that you're doing better. I hope you get straightened out permanently.

[TC Chris]

I got tired of not being able to walk standing up and started making noise. Got my MRI scheduled (May ) and PT starts Tuesday. And wouldn't you know, I've been able to stand up and walk some this weekend. It actually started late last week. I'm going ahead with both however so as to avoid a recurrence and to accelerate the rate of improvement.

Chris Campbell

[William]

I have done PT twice for my back and it worked wonders. The key, which I am not good at, is to keep doing it at home.

Bill

[19&41]

Well, this morning, my back feels like I had a workout yesterday. No problems keeping upright. I do, however have a load of yard debris and a red flag warning across north Georgia, The yard is beginning to take on a nice brownish hue. At least the iris I've planted are coming up as are the morning glories. The cactus is putting a lot of buds up too. Looks like a lot of cactus roses soon.

[William]

Believe it or not, I have a cactus plant in my backyard as did my parents. During the winter it looks like it is deader than dead and then as soon as the sun hits it and it warms up it comes alive. I live the flowers, but sadly they only last one day and then they are gone. The good thing, they don't all blossom at once.

Bill

[19&41]

I love their blooms. I try to snap a few each year. This one is from 2015, I use it as my lock screen on my PC.

[TC Chris]

Believe it or not, I have a cactus plant in my backyard as did my parents. During the winter it looks like it is deader than dead and then as soon as the sun hits it and it warms up it comes alive. I live the flowers, but sadly they only last one day and then they are gone. The good thing, they don't all blossom at once.

Bill

Is yours a prickly pear? There was one along the alley at the neighbors' lot but then new owners paved it over. I have a "night blooming cereus" indoors.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum. It's a night blooming [plant and the blossoms shrivel in the morning.

Chris Campbell

[William]

Mine is a prickly pear and the blooms look just like the one Rex shared.
Bill

[19&41]

My iris has just bloomed. That was the fastest I've seen them come up after planting them. The little flowers are about 3 inches in diameter. I put in fiberglass stakes to keep the the guy from mowing them down.

[William]

Is that what they call a Japanese Iris? It is beautiful.

Bill

[19&41]

I don't remember. Guess I should've kept the label. Those are on one side of the driveway and a full sized one of the same color is on the other. It didn't flower this year. It got frost bit.

[electra225]

Very pretty iris!

[William]

Rex. My guess is yes, I have some in my flower bed and they look like yours. They came with the house. The Japanese Iris are kind of petite compared to the normal Iris and are the blue/yellow color, at least mine are.

Bill

[19&41]

I guess I'll have to find some more likely bulbs for next spring. They seem to be doing pretty well. It rained this morning and the morning glories are taking off, too.

[MEZLAW]

On the subject of health lamentations, I had x-rays taken a week ago (Th., 4/2). The doctor still doesn't have them so cannot make treatment decisions. I called the practice again today and was told the hospital does not have enough radiologists. Meanwhile, I cannot walk standing up--have to bend over at about 45 degrees, and can't manage more than two blocks. This is crazy. My brother, a doc in VT, cannot believe it.

Chris Campbell

So sorry to hear about your illness. I should consider myself lucky, I have the typical aches and pains of a 76 year old, but nothing else that I know of and I'm not taking any meds.
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