It's Only Been Five Days ....

..... and yet it seems like a week.
A full week.
It's been a very full five days.

Camp Widow is 17 days away.  But then I guess you know how far off it is/is not .... if you just look to the right.
:)
As the Volunteer Coordinator it's been a busy couple of weeks, trying to get in touch with everyone and get t shirt sizes, meal choices, workshop choices, etc.
If this were a perfect world, everyone would respond to my e-mails ..... in a timely fashion.
However it is not, and the do not.  Sometimes, not at all.
Sigh.
But most of them do and it's going to be a great weekend!

Daughter #2 came home today for a short visit.  We had pedicures this afternoon.
After I went to the physical therapy and then to see my orthopedic surgeon ..... who told me that I was a free woman.
OK, that's not exactly what he said, but that's what it amounts to.
I'm done seeing him, unless I get injured again (please, God .... no).
I'm done with physical therapy, which is both good and bad.  Good, in that I won't have to go 3 days a week, bad in that I liked going, liked my PT and the workout my shoulder got, and bad that I won't be doing that kind of work out at home.  I mean, I could totally lie and say that i will, but who would I be kidding?  I'm hoping to get some PT stuff done, but it won't be at the same level as going in and doing it is.
So yay, my shoulder has been cleared to do whatever it feels like doing.  Just not all at once.
I played tennis last Monday and it felt great.  No pain whatsoever.  For the first time in over 5 years.  And no pain that night, either.
And then I played on Thursday.  And I played longer, and a bit harder, than I had played on Monday.
And it was too much.
It's still a bit sore from that day, but not too bad.

But Thursday got a bit worse after that.
After playing tennis I went out and did a lot of errands.  At this point in time (just after midnight on Tuesday) I can't remember what all I did, but I was heading home around 3:00 p.m.
Our smallish-community has been having a lot of road work done on one of its 2 major streets.  Yep, one out of two is a lot.  I was on that street Thursday afternoon.  As I pulled on to it I passed a sigh that read, "road work ahead" .... duhhhh.  Then the next sign read, "Right light closed ahead".  Well, "ahead" in this case meant in about one mile.  But I dutifully moved into the left lane as soon as I could because that's just how I run.  And I ABHOR the little people who continue to zip down the right lane and cut in at the very last moment.
ABHOR.
Many such little people were doing this on Thursday.  And if you have done this, shame on you.
After being in the left lane for about 20 minutes (20 minutes of stop and go traffic) I looked into my rearview mirror and noticed that the black truck behind me was driving down the center of the two lanes, so that no more little people could zip by.  I smiled and thought, "Good for you, Mr. Black Truck Driver!"  We continued to drive this way a bit longer and then I noticed that there was a white truck behind the black truck and Mr. White Truck Driver was being aggressive.  Way too aggressive for stop and go traffic.  I have no doubt that he was totally ticked at Mr. Black Truck Driver for not letting him zip past.  He kept speeding up and riding on the rear end of the black truck, swerving left and right and mainly driving like a huge jerk.
Then he must've decided that driving like a jerk was not nearly as fun as driving like an ass, because he suddenly swerved to his left and drove up and over the curb, past the trees and sidewalk and past the black truck.
He then drove off of the curb and back into the right lane.
Next to me.
I was a bit stunned but would soon be even more stunned.
Because Mr. No-Longer-a-Jerk-But-Now-An-Ass started heading into my lane.
Where I was.
I thought that perhaps he didn't notice me there, even though I drive a large-ish red-ish SUV.  See, even then I gave him the benefit of doubt.  But that disappeared in the next nano-second.
Because I honked to let him know that there was indeed a car in the lane into which he was swerving.  I looked at him, his window was next to my window, and he was shaking both of his fists at me and waving them towards himself, as if to say, "C'mom!  C'mon and get some of this!".
And I was about as stunned as I thought I could get.
Until he kept heading into my lane.
I could not have avoided him, unless I swerved to my left and up and over the median on my side, or sped up and slammed into the car behind me, or hit my brakes and then watched the rear part of his truck hit the front part of my car.
He pulled closer to me and then swerved in my direction, causing our side mirrors to smash into each other.  I saw paint and glass flying everywhere.
And at that point I was about as stunned as I was going to be.
And then I became P***ED.
Very, very, P***ED.
I stopped my car and saw that he had stopped his and leapt out of it.
In my p***ed off state, I forgot that I was alone in my car, that I am only 5'4" and weigh somewhere around 120 lbs.
Meaning, not big enough to beat the crap out of this guy.
Even though I felt big enough at the time.
I jumped out of my car and just looked at him .... probably with a most unkind look.  He started screaming, "Pull it over!!  PULL IT OVER!!!"
I knew at that moment that I was dealing with a madman, but still didn't conclude that I had no one there to back me up.
So I mustered up all 5'4" of me and yelled the only thing I could think of (and of which I am not proud) .... "Screw you!!!"
And then I got back in my car and thought about just driving off for about 2 seconds.  But I was still too mad.  So I picked up my cell and dialed 911 and pulled my car over into the right lane.
A very, very kind mind who had been driving in front of my got out of his car and told me that I had done nothing wrong, I was in the right and that man was crazy.  And then he stayed with me until the police came, which took quite a while, seeing as how there was only one lane of traffic and people were gawking at us.  Mr. White Truck Driver, who henceforth shall be known as The Supreme Ass (of TSA), stayed on his end of the street and I stayed on my end.  The police came, took my story, took TSA's story and then took the witness' story.  And then he talked to TSA again and came back to me with an ultimatum;  he could give both of us a citation (wait for it ...), and we could take our chance in court,  or just let us both go and take care of our own cars.
And I then learned that I could, indeed, be stunned a little bit more.
I said something like, "WHAT?!!!  Why would I get a citation???!!!  I didn't do anything wrong and you have a witness to that fact!"
To which he replied something like, "I'm not going to go into any of that.  Do you want the citation or not?"
Now I have never had a citation before.  Nor a ticket.  Ever.  Yes, I know it's hard to believe, but it's true.  I personally think one should receive some sort of plaque or something if one reaches the age of, oh .... 50, and has never had a ticket.  Evidently not everyone agrees with that.
So all I could think, and say, was, "No!  I don't want a citation.  But HE should get one!"  Mr. Policeman, henceforth known as Ass #2, just looked at me.  Finally I said, "No, I don't want a citation."  He said, "Fine.  Now I'll go talk to TSA."  The witness could not believe it when I told him what Ass #2 had said.
Then Ass #2 came back and said, "TSA wants to file a police report.  So I'm going to write one, but not give either of you a citation."  I asked what in the world that meant and he said it meant that I should take his police report to my insurance office and then follow their directions.  He then told me that I could go. I got into my car, got back into the left lane, drove about 2 feet ..... and then it hit me.  Ass #2 did NOT want to give any citations because that meant that, not only would he be out there longer, but he would also have to show up in court.  And then I was furious.  Beyond furious.  I drove straight to my insurance office and told them what had happened.  The woman asked, "You told him, Yes, I want the citation!!! Right?"  I told her that, alas, I had not.  I was new at all of this and couldn't think in time and that I later realized what had just happened.  I had been scammed.
She told me that the police department from this particular large metropolis (which shall remain nameless, but you all know where I live anyway) contains some of THE laziest people on the face of the earth.  They, as an insurance company, encounter this all of the time.  This is so wrong .... on so many levels.  But if it ever happens again I'll know better.  And I'll go to court.
On the bright side?  His mirror was hanging by a wire.  Mine is just really scratched up.
And .... when I went to the insurance office I saw our weekly farmers' market in our town center.  I'd never been to it because I never remember that it's there.  But that day I went.  And enjoyed myself immensely.
So there, TSA.

Yes, this is a hugely long post and for that I am truly sorry.  I told you it's been a week of only 5 days.
And now, as of tonight, my joints are hurting.  Not just aching, but "had to take a pain pill" hurting.
Damn.
If they're like this tomorrow then I expect I'll be seeing the rheumatologist sooner, rather than later.

So there you go.
A week of 5 days.
I'm sure there's more to share with you about those 5 days, but it's almost 1 am and I have to take Son #3 to the dr. at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.
Guess who made the appointment at that time?
It wasn't me.
sigh .....

On that sigh ..... Happy Tuesday, Peeps.

And please, move into the correct lane in a timely fashion.
:)


P.S.  I forgot to add that my insurance agent called the next morning and had a message from TSA.  He's filing a claim against them/me for "failure to yield".  She thought that was hysterical.  Especially since there was no where, nor any way for me to yield and not get hit by him moving into my lane.  He never stopped, never slowed down, never seemed to care that our cars would collide at some point.  I was glad to have helped given her some entertainment for her day.  She laughed .... a lot.
So did the agent who called yesterday to get my "tape recorded version" .... and she works for his insurance company!  I later got a call from my company, for the same thing .... my recorded version.  The person who took that one was very confused as to why he was even wasting their time.  I just said that I thought he was a wee bit crazy.  That's all.
Aren't we all?  But hopefully we hold it in while driving .... hopefully.

So It's Tuesday ....

UPDATE:  So if you've noticed that I tend to post more often when I'm feeling good (and really bored) then you might notice that I haven't written anything today ..... on here or on Facebook.  Not a terrific day, pain-wise.  I keep waking up around 6:30 .... in pain.  Lots of it.  This morning it was worse than usual .... with both my shoulder and hip.  So it's been a very quiet day.  It's not unexpected to have bumps in the road, but still ..... it's frustrating and disappointing.
But I'm going to Circle tonight .... all drugged up.  And no,  I'm not driving.  A couple of my lovely friends offered to pick me up (they may not have realized that that's exactly what they may have to do .... literally!).  I'd like to just stay home, quietly suffering in my room .... but where's the fun in that?!  I know they'll make me feel better and I'll be very glad that I went.  Maybe not in the morning, but some time after that I'll still be glad.  :)
And I'm still optimistic.  And hoping that tomorrow will start off better than today did.
:)



.... which means that it's really Wednesday in most places on earth.

Things are going well.
So well, in fact that I find myself waiting for the proverbial "other shoe" to drop.
It hasn't yet .... and so I am choosing to look forward.  If it falls .... it falls.  I have learned that there is nothing I can do .... if it does.

I stayed home today and tried to stay on the quiet side.
I am happy to report that I was able to take my first full-blown shower today.
It was heavenly.

A good friend stopped by to bring the sons and me some dinner.  Thank you so much, D.  We loved it!

I've taken the pain meds today on an "as needed" basis.  Which is less than every 4 hours.
I'm happy to report that the "as needed" basis has worked today.
Who knows if it will work tomorrow?  But I'm optimistic.

I did manage to do some dishes today, as well as clean out the office .... and my bedroom.  And folded laundry.
I'm happy with the results.

The Daughters are coming home Thursday night.  Well, one of them is.  I think the other one will arrive Friday morning ..... before we have to leave for the airport ....I hope.

I think that my shoulder will be OK for the trip, as long as I remember to not drag a heavy piece of luggage behind me ..... or put a heavy carry-on into the bin above my seat.

Actually, it's not the shoulder that's giving me problems today.  It's my hip.  Again.  Yes .... again.
Most of you know that my left hip has bothered me since my surgery in February of 2009.  But now, at this moment in time ..... it's my right hip that is causing the problems.  And I'm not sure why.
I remember putting things in my suitcase, on the last day of our cruise, and standing up to realize that my right hip was in agony.  It was like I popped it out of place or something.
And ever since then, it's been a huge pain in the a**.
Huge.
Freakingly huge.

So I'm guessing that once we get past this shoulder issue, I'll bring up the "hip issue".
Damn.
Getting old totally sucks.
I may have to punch Jim in the jaw when I see him
 in Heaven.
For leaving me here to get older and older while he just hangs out in Heaven and has a great time.
Sigh ......

That's all for today, Peeps.
I'm glad that some of you, including "W', are pleased that I am updating m blog every day, sometimes 3 time a day.
It's good to know that you derive some sort of satisfaction from my boredom.

Happy Tuesday/Wednesday  Peeps.

A Trip to the Doc ....

.... and a bit of a surprise.

I've had to keep the dressing on my shoulder since the surgery.  Until I went in to see my doctor.  Today.
He removed it, none too gently I might add.
Doctors.
Hmmmffff.

I was surprised to see that my shoulder looked like this:

And this:

I have three incisions.
I thought I would have one.
I thought wrong.

One in the front of my shoulder, one on the side and one in the back.
No wonder my shoulder hurts so much!!

Actually, other than the surprise of multiple holes in my body, they actually look pretty good.  Gross, but pretty good.

I go in next week to have the stitches removed and will then start physical therapy.
I.
Can.
Hardly.
Wait.

Really, though .... it hasn't been as bad as I had feared.  And, though it's still too early to tell for certain, I think that the pain I was experiencing before (and had been experiencing for the last 3 + years) may be gone.  It's difficult to tell the difference between that pain and the my-shoulder-has-been-cut-into-in-three-separate-places pain.

As I told you yesterday, I slept much better Saturday night.
And then yesterday I took my meds every 4 hours.  All day.
And I felt much better.
In fact, I felt so much better that I over did it.
Sigh.
I decided that I was going to wash my hair.
And then I decided to keep washing.
So I sort of took a semi-shower/sponge bath.  I couldn't take a full-fledged shower because I couldn't get the dressing wet.  If I did get it wet that meant an immediate trip to the ER.  Seriously.
So I semi-showered.
And shaved my legs.
Then dried my hair.
And did some laundry and cleaned the kitchen.
I was on a roll.

Look closely at my forehead if you get the chance.
I think it says S-T-U-P-I-D.

I woke up this morning around 6:30 ..... in a huge wave of pain.
It got me out of bed.  And looking for my meds.
I promptly took a pill and then went back to sleep.
Only to wake up 30 minutes later when my cat decided to crawl up on my shoulder and sit there.
I think I flew out of the bed.
As did he.
And then he went out the door, which was shut firmly behind him.
And I again returned to bed ... and to sleep.

I took it easy this morning, after I got out of bed for the last time.
But I didn't take any more pain pills.  I can't take those things and then drive a car.
Well, I don't know that for sure, but since I seem to lack any semblance of balance once I take one, I figured that driving a huge piece of machinery might not be a great idea.
So I remained drug-free so that I could drive to my appointment at 2:00.

After the appointment I decided that I needed to run an errand to Target.  And then spent about an hour there.  That was because I intended to have the pharmacy fill a prescription for me ..... and then forgot to do it.  Until I was done shopping.  Which meant that after I remembered and dropped it off .... I had to kill time shopping some more.
Needless to say, I left with quite a few things that were not on my list going in.
But that's OK .... because I do love me some Target.

After spending the last 3 days in my bedroom I decided to get a new comforter and curtains .... to lighten things up a bit.
Once I found a comforter I liked, I of course had to find a couple of pillows to match.
And then a rug or two.
And some colorful bins to keep me organized.

It was kind of my version of, "If You Give A Mouse A Cookie".
Totally.
Now that I'm back in my room, on doctor/self imposed bed rest .... I'm much happier with the look.
Yes, it doesn't take much to make me happy these days.
Try being imprisoned in your bedroom and see how long it takes for you to decide that you want a new look.

By the time I got home tonight I was in dire need of pain meds.
And so I took them.
And things look rosy again.
:)

The doc said that I could make the trip this weekend to Louisville with Daughters 2 & 3.
Which was nice of him, but not really necessary.
I would've gone with .... or without .... his blessing.
I am SO looking forward to this weekend .... and sharing it with the Daughters.  Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer.  If you're not familiar with 2 amazing women you need to Google them.
And, to top it all off ..... I am going to meet a blog Peep/reader/friend.
I can hardly wait!
It's going to be a great weekend.
Especially if I don't forget to pack my meds.
:)

Well, my internet has gone out .... yet again.
Technology ...... love it/hate it ..... it's a very fine line, is it not?

So even though I started this post on Monday night ..... it looks like it may be sometime on Tuesday before I am able to post it.

Having said that .....

Happy Monday/Tuesday/Whenever Peeps!
:)

Here Comes The ....

..... pain, do do do doooo  .......
The "do do's" are to indicate that "here comes the pain" is being sung (NOT to talk about intestinal issues, for those of you who were going there).
Two points to the first Peep who knows what song keeps running through my mind, with those words.

This post should probably be entitled "Whine #3", but hopefully I won't whine that much.

Last night was rough.
Really, really rough.

I've been taking the pain meds regularly, every 5 hours, like candy clockwork to try to stay "on top of the pain".
Wait one darn second!!!
Holy smokes!  I just checked the label .... it says to take it every FOUR hours.  DANG!!!!  I've been cheating myself out of an hour this whole time!!!!
..... deep breathing here ......

OK, I'm back.  I can't believe I didn't know that.  And yes, I really DID just now see it and write about it at the same time.
I think I'm a totally weird unique writer.

Hold on ..... Roger's getting ready to win the first set .....
Dang.  His drop shot was out.

OK, where was I?
Ahhh yes, pain meds.
And last night.

So I've been taking them at what I THOUGHT was the prescribed recommended basis, but last night the pain slammed into my body at around 6:30.
--Crap!  Nadal just held his serve.  Now it's 5-3---
I don't know what happened.  I was just sitting on my bed and all of a sudden I was moaning and doing Lamaze breathing.  Ironically, I was doing the Lamaze breathing pretty much the way I did it during labor (yeah, when you go through 5 labors you tend to remember these things).
Way too fast.  Which sometimes leads to hyperventilating, as Jim tried to tell me when I was in labor with Daughter #1.  I think that when he mentioned that fact for about the third or eleventh time I may or may not have uttered the words, "Shut up!"  Which he immediately did.  At that moment the nurse walked in, looked at me and said, "She needs to slow her breathing down or she's going to hyperventilate."
I refused look up to see what I know was the look of triumph on his face.

I digress again.
And now Nadal has won another game and it's 5-4.
Sigh.
At least it's proving to be a great match.

And yes, I did take a pain pill an hour ago.  Why do you ask?

So, the pain was a true bitch last night.
After about 2 hours I gave in and took another pain pill.  At the time I thought it was way too early, though I did it anyway.
Now I know it wasn't THAT early.  (I really can't get over that!)

I may or may have not added some Baileys into the scenario.
And yes, I know that's a huge no no.
I was desperate.
And it worked.
Or maybe I just didn't care at that point .... it's difficult to remember.
:)

So, rough night.
But after that I did manage to sleep better than the night before.

And I got what I think may be good news:  I don't think I'll have to use the sling after tomorrow!
The hospital called to check on me (wasn't that sweet?) and the very perky lady said something about my doctor not wanting me to let my shoulder get stiff ..... meaning, in my mind, that I should be using my right arm.
----Wow!  Great 'get' on Roger's drop shot by Nadal!  He may break Roger's serve here .... CRAP!  Roger just hit it into the net!  Nadal is up 6-5------

So I am typing with two hands at the moment.  Yay!
I see the doc tomorrow at 2:00.
I had a dream last night that my shoulder was almost feeling normal today.  Meaning that it still gave me pain but not the I-just-had-surgery-on-it pain that I'm having in real life.
Hopefully that's a prophecy and the pain will be less today.
Or I'm going to need some more Baileys.
:)

I have to end the post here, Peeps.
I'm sorry, I know you want more (which is always how one should leave people) but Roger needs me.
He just lost the first set.
I need to save my strength to cheer him on and telepathically send him loads and loads of encouragement.
I'll check in with you all later .... unless I'm too weak.

P.S.  Beth .... I love you!!!  Thank you so much!!!!  It's perfect.  :)

Whiney WHIIINE #2

....  It's midnight, the nerve block wore off an hour ago and I am not happy.

My shoulder hurts, the incision site hurts every time I move  ..... even with a deep breath, as does my neck where he went in for the block ("hurts" isn't a strong enough word, but I can't think of another one at the moment).  The strong pain meds are not strong enough.  I probably won't be making you smile for a while.

Sorry ........

And now it is almost 8a.m.  I think I MAY have slept an hour .... after I finally caved and took an Ambien at 2:30 a.m.

I'm ready to do bodily harm ..... I'm just sayin'....

Especially if the player I like doesn't win the French Open, which I am getting ready to watch in my kind-of-stoned-visually way, but not-medically way.  Or rather .... not-medically-good-enough way.

Whine #1 ....

.... is about to begin.
Brace yourselves.
(It's going to be a loooong few days, Peeps.)

I am sleepy.
Very sleepy.

The problem?
My body will not fall asleep.
Well .... except for my dead right arm, hand, fingers, shoulder, chest and neck.

My arm and shoulder are itching .... but I can't feel my skin being scratched so that's driving me crazy!

And my throat hurts now.
Yes, in spite of the deadness of my neck.
Damn intubation tube.

On the up side ....
.... my voice is incredibly sexy after an intubation tube has been stuck down my throat.

Thankfully I still have a numb shoulder.
Yet it feels very strange.
When I get up and walk I feel something bumping against me .... and look down to see that it's my arm.
Weird.
It's like having an epidural in my shoulder.
Or maybe a giant cavity.

Ok, that was just gross.
Did I say type that I'm sleepy?
(Did you notice that strike-through?  Totally one-handed!)

I'm also wondering how a procedure with the word "scope" in its name ..... requires a dressing this big??

Check it out ..... left-handed picture taking.
Damn, I'm good.
:)


UPDATE:  It's midnight, the nerve block wore off an hour ago and I am not happy.
My shoulder hurts, the incision site hurts every time I move  ..... even with a deep breath, as does my neck where he went in for the block ("hurts" isn't a strong enough word, but I can't think of another one at the moment).  The strong pain meds are not strong enough.  I probably won't be making you smile for a while.
Sorry ........

I'm Home ....

.... and very, very woozy/fuzzy.
Make of that what you will.

I think it went ok.  The dr. didn't come back to talk to me afterwards but I'm going in on Monday to see him.
The good thing is that, for now, my arm is completely numb.  Dead.  My fingers, hand, shoulder and the right side of my neck and chest, which makes breathing a little difficult, but I prefer that over pain.
They gave me a nerve block through my neck before they put me out.  Now THAT was fun.   :-(
But at least I'll be pain free for the day.

OK, that's all .... I need a nap and Federer is playing Djokovic, so I'm tired, yet torn because it's a great match and I like both of them.

Thanks for the comments, please keep them coming.  p, thanks for the cat hint, I'll definitely try it.
Phyllis, I have those floss stick things .... thanks for reminding me.
Beth ... too funny!  I think Id have to smack him, though.  :)
H2 .... can't wait! And no, I've never played the banjo.   ;-)
Dawn .... I LOVE you!!
Patty ... I laughed out loud at the cussing joke!!  Thank you!!
Kathy ....thank you!

Well, this left handed pecking took me so long that the match is over (yay for Roger, sad face for Novak).
Time for a nap.
Please keep up the prayers .... when the pain hits it's supposed to hit hard.

Thanks, Peeps.
:)