Listen To Medical Advice

Once again ... I urge everyone to get vaccinated against Shingles. You have all seen that ad on TV, haven't you? The lady has the rash on her face and in her scalp and laments that even her hair hurts. She knows what she is talking about!

Through the wonders of Vicodin and sheer exhaustion I finally slept last night. Even my old guy with bladder issues co-operated and stayed in bed a full 10 hours. I did wake from time to time to see if I really was sleeping. You know what I mean, you venture cautiously into consciousness, all the while clinging to sleep and drift back off.

The pain was back this morning, but I stumbled into the kitchen and grabbed that bottle of vicodin, secure in the knowledge that the pain would be fading as I sipped coffee. The pain is hard to describe. Almost like a sore muscle. A deep ache under the afflicted area. Not to be compared to fire of the blisters and the sporadic stabbing pains.

After my coffee and cuddles with my furry kids I felt almost human. Felt so much better that I decided to tackle the rest of my unpacking and change the sheets on my bed. I accomplished both tasks and went on to mop and do laundry. As the vicodin was losing power, so was I. My marathon cleaning was, perhaps, not such a great idea.

I was in a cold sweat, nauseous and feeling generally crappy with a dull headache. I dutifully swallowed my next round of pills, including another vicodin, all the while resisting the urge to take two of them. The bottle did say 1 to 2 as needed for pain. And I was in pain, wasn't I? I only took one and went to my squeaky clean bedroom for a little nap.

All this to say, when the doctor (or nurse practitioner, as the case may be) tells you to take it easy for the next few weeks, it might be a good idea to take that advice to heart. I spent the rest of the afternoon highly agitated and achy. I managed to put a meal together and clean up the kitchen before taking a cool shower.

The cool water seems to calm those blistered nerve endings. In preparation for my ablutions, I discovered a new line of fresh blisters. I think I will take it easy tomorrow, as I was told to.

He Who Was Right

Despite the pain this causes me and how I loathe admitting it ......... He Who is not a doctor had the correct diagnosis.

I have shingles. I was a little frantic this morning as I waited for the clinic to open and when I was told I would not be seen until FRIDAY I bawled like a baby.

The kind woman in charge of scheduling took pity on me and got me into the sister clinic to see my nurse practitioner. Just one look and she wrote out the RX for the anti-viral drug and pain meds.

And she quarantined me! Suggests that I go nowhere for 21 days to avoid infecting the unsuspecting world with chicken pox. Can't go see my dad for sure. I will have to rest in seclusion. She even suggested that it could be stress related. She wants me to be vaccinated against another out break.

No one will have to twist my arm to take that vaccination! I would suggest that everyone who has ever had chicken pox do so. I would not wish this on anyone!

Affordable Health Care Deductible ...... NOT NOW!

You will recall me mentioning a little heel and my sciatic nerve ........

Over the last six months I have been doing some heavy duty driving. Long hours behind the wheel has made me all too familiar with aches and pains. Particularly my sciatic nerve and the burning pain that sets in and refuses to be pacified with a change of position. I have toyed with thoughts of hanging my left leg out the window as I drive and would if I thought it would help. It starts out as a burning from my hip to my ankle, then a slow steady ache. Stopping  frequently and walking has helped and adding a cushion to the drivers seat helps occasionally.


Sweet Jailynn slept with Gramma Monday night. She was happy to be snug against me. Cujo was not. He wormed his way between us right away to claim his place. He was a good boy and allowed her to pet him and coo at him. As soon as she fell asleep, I gently moved Jailynn over to claim more space for myself and Cujo moved to the foot of the bed at her feet.

Oscar woke me at 5:30 for a walk outside and I leashed the two dogs and took them out to do their business and returned to the warm bed full of little girl. We cuddled and I kissed the top her head while drawing in that little girl smell to remember during the next few weeks. We both went back to sleep and I turned with my back to her. In her sleep she turned over, too. Unfortunately she used my lower back to leverage her turn. Her little heel found that spot and I felt the burn immediately.

I lay there willing it to go away. I was scheduled to drive at least 8 hours and I was dreading it. I started out with the first leg of my trip. I stopped at my dad's house and had lunch with them before resuming my way home.

It bothered me at first, but I found that the extra cushion would not work in the RV as it did in my car. After my lunch break, I was feeling better. Could have been the Tylenol I swallowed with lunch, but I was doing pretty good. It was overcast and the sun was not an issue and things were going pretty good. The wind picked up, though and I was driving directly into it.

In a car, it would not have been a problem to drive into the wind. The RV was a different story, though. Bad enough that I was fighting the head wind, but every time a semi passed it was a struggle to stay on the road. At first it would push me to the right and then as the truck came along side, it wanted to suck me into it.

I sailed through Atlanta. Then the wind was really pushing me back. I stopped for gas (you don't want to know, you really don't want to know what it took to fill that tank!) and my leg was numb and tingling and my back was hurting, Swallowed more Tylenol and sucked down some caffeine. I really wanted to make it to Chattanooga before stopping. I continued north and the pain continued roaming up and down my back and leg. The wind continued to gust and then it started to rain. It was only 4:40, but I stopped at the first RV park I found.

Didn't make it to Tennessee, but hoped a good night's sleep would set me up for the next day. I got up and was on the road at 7:00 est ....... 6:00 central time. I stopped and procured coffee and another insane amount of fuel. Let it be known that every time I stopped to get fuel, I would find it at least 10 cents cheaper at the very next exit.

Over cast again, but the wind had subsided and I was determined to sleep in my own bed that night. I was aching all over as I started out. I was tense the day before and my arm muscles were sore, as well as my neck. And my old friend, Sciatica, was front and center. More Tylenol didn't help much.

I was losing the light of day as I crossed the Missouri line, but was confidant that I would make it home. I was miserable at this point. My left leg was aching and my right knee decided to join in protest to sitting behind the wheel. I was listening mindlessly to Siri guide me along the interstate. As soon as I exited towards St. Louis, instead of staying on 64, I knew I had screwed up. Adding another 30 minutes to my already long day.

I pulled into my parking lot at 5:30 CST. Eleven and a half hours after waking up that morning. I was so tired. My knee was screaming and my back was torturing me. I grabbed the mere essentials and a dog and headed inside, leaving the other dog and unloading to He Who awaited my return.

A long hot shower followed and I gratefully sank into my chair and snuggled with my canine babies. The knee was so happy not to be bent, the pain left immediately. The back is another story.

Still hurts. I can't get comfortable in bed and sleep is not coming easily. In addition to the pain, I am numb. A contradiction in terms, right? My pain is in my lower back, but my hip and part of my abdomen is numb. Like your face feels when the dentist shoots your mouth full of Novacaine. And it itches. I scratch, but can't feel the scratch, so it does not quench the itch.

So I googled my symptoms. I have a rash on my side ...... but not where it itches. The internet tells me I need an MRI to rule out a herniated disc. He Who is not a doctor assures me I have shingles. Really, I am not happy with either.

I have been taking it easy. I have high hopes that by tomorrow I will be in tip-top shape. I was relatively pain free when I went to bed last night. I was totally relaxed, happy that I wasn't struggling to find a comfortable position. I lay there on my back flipping channels on the TV when He Who had taken the canine creatures out for last call lifted Cujo into the bed. In his joy to see me again (it had been a good 10 minutes since we parted), he pounced onto my lower abdomen and I jerked my legs up in reflex ......... I have been up and down all night. The burning sensation brought me out of a sound sleep at 4:52 this morning.

Looks like I will be calling the clinic for an appointment tomorrow. If only I could wait until January 1st. I do not want to fulfill my deductible NOW.

Bargain Hunter

So, after a whirlwind visit with Jada and Jeff, I waved good bye as they headed back to the airport in Atlanta. You will recall that I was told I would not be allowed to drive the RV back unless I practiced on the way. I didn't, but there I was, with my two dogs and the RV. Left on my own to get home alone. Just me and my canine companions.

I spend a couple of days with my dad, then left to head east to stay with my great granddaughter. They had just moved into a cute little house that is indeed a "fixer-upper". I was in my element. After we dropped Jailynn at school, Her mom, Amber and I set out on a marathon thrift store adventure.

If only we had more time and limitless money! I did score some capris for a mere quarter!! I had not packed hot weather clothes and this buy came in handy.

I ventured into a furniture store in search of a rug. Goodwill had been a huge disappointment and as we strolled into the furniture store, Amber clearly thought I had lost my mind. She knew I was shopping on the cheap and could not figure my tactic out.

The salesman approached us, all giddy with the thought of commissions to come. I clearly burst his bubble when I asked to see the scratch and dent and discontinued items. We were left to our own devices in the huge basement. The prices dropped the further into the bowels of the building we ventured. I spied two rugs rolled up in the farthest corner. One green, one red. looked like they were probably discontinued displays.

I went to fetch the salesman. Totally disinterested in anything I would be purchasing he passed me off to another unsuspecting salesman. We went to the rugs and he dramatically unfurled the red one. Wool, he announced proudly. I asked how much and he asked how much I wanted to spend. I was honest. Told him that Gramma did not have deep pockets and wanted to stay as low as possible.

He hemmed and hawed and wanted over $100. I asked about the synthetic green one and was quoted $50. As We looked longingly at the red one, he decided to go "check to see what he could do". We waited patiently and he came back and told me he would part with both rugs for $50 each. I said, "We will take the red one." I was fully aware that he wanted me to purchase both rugs, but, what could he do?

It was gratifying to teach a 24 year old how to bargain! I doubt I could have gotten another deal out of that salesman. I would have offered him $25 for the inferior rug, but I knew when to quit.

Oh, and I managed to drive the RV with nary a problem. Well, not with driving. My problem was in the form of a little red dog with short legs. He was insistent that he be allowed to ride in my lap and look out the window. I was equally determined that he ride in the back with the black dog with short legs. Baby gate to the rescue.

That baby gate had to be reinforced with a wooden shelf on the long trip home .........

Back Again

This is the face of the foot that found Gramma's sciatic nerve in the night ........

It was brought to my attention that I had not posted since the day after Thanksgiving. This is true. Although I managed to find internet service a couple of times on my trip, I simply checked e-mail and then slept. My days were hectic and my down time was for sleeping.

I did take pictures, but for whatever reason my computer and phone are not communicating today.
I did a little painting, a few window treatments and lots of junk shopping. I spent time with my dad and with my granddaughter. Saw cousins and realized that there are not enough hours in a day.

This was our first trip in the "new" RV. We towed my car and met up with my son and granddaughter, Jada, in Atlanta. There are very few RV parks near the airport in Atlanta........

The trip started out right on schedule ...... until nearly 15 miles down the interstate when, He Who is attached to his phone, realized he had forgotten it. I had asked him f he had all his electronics and chargers ....we back tracked and he retrieved it.

We looked at each other and asked if we had forgotten anything else. I was a little woozy, having whacked my head on the over-cab bed for the third time. "Do we have water for the dogs?" We didn't. So, I jumped out to get the food and water bowls and a gallon of water.

You know those big side mirrors on the RV. Sure you do. They stick out really far and are big and sturdy. They will push back if you run into them. I caught the side of my already sore head and my left shoulder. This was not a good beginning.

I set up the feeding station for my dogs, totally forgetting that I had not left water out for Martha, the boy cat. I had filled his self feeder and admonished him not to gorge himself, then throw it up before we left. But, Martha shares the water dish with his canine buddies. I did leave the toilet seat up. And I sent a "Help!" text to Andrea and DJ. Martha did not suffer.

As we rolled along the interstate, He Who thinks he is the boss of me, told me that I would have to drive some of the trip or he would not leave me to dive home alone. I wasn't keen on towing the car as I drove, but told him I would. Every time I asked to relieve him he denied me the driver's seat, though. I was left to drive the RV home, having only piloted it around my park. But that is another story for another day.

We arrived in  my dad's yard and set up, I walked the dogs and Then we all trouped in to a huge home-cooked turkey dinner with Mama and Daddy.

I am happy to report that my dad is doing great! He has no more chemo in his system and has regained some of his strength and a lot of his sense of humor. It would be a wonderful Christmas if he suddenly went into remission. That is all I want in my stocking.

More tomorrow .....

DATES and DAYS

We did not escape the snow storm here at the campground. It snowed quite a bit and the snow covered the satellite dish, preventing any reception. All my efforts at preparing for our trip were in full swing. I was waiting out the snow and wrestling with a headache, when He Who is the master of towing all things came home to attach the tow bar and hook up my jeep to the RV.

Now, I did suggest that he do it the previous day when the weather was mild, but He Who is the master of towing, is also the master of procrastination. He decided to go gas up the RV before attaching anything. While about this business, he got a call and instead of bring the RV back, he drove to the shop to get the tow truck. This meant I couldn't put the last of our stuff in while it was still light out ........

I was annoyed. My headache was still aching. So, while I was enjoying a chat with my Jada on the phone, I was interrupted. I had to go drive the car up to the tow bar on the slushy driveway in the dark. I confess that I was a little miffed. I played the martyr and started carrying baskets of stuff to the RV. The passenger door was unlocked, so I crawled through and took all the clothes in and secured everything. On my way back out (in the dark), I walked right into the over the cab bed and nearly knocked myself out.

Deciding to call it quits for the night, I came back inside to find a text from my son reminding me of the flight information ........ I looked closely at the dates. Um, I had all the information a day off. We don't need to leave tomorrow, we need to leave Friday.

He Who is the master of towing was on a mission to find the proper clamps to secure the chains or something ( I confess that I wasn't listening). I took advantage of this. I called him and told him we didn't need to leave until Friday, giving the procrastinator a reprieve. Totally downplaying the fact that I had the day wrong!

Give Thanks

Since we will be traveling on Thanksgiving day, I  cooked turkey yesterday. Okay, half a turkey. Literally. Bought a 10 lb. frozen turkey and had the meat department saw it in half. I thought it would be a little silly to cook a whole bird for two people. It made an interesting carcass, with a cut down the spine


So, even though the skies were dreary and the wind was gusting mightily, I was determined to be thankful and eat turkey and all the fixins'. No pies, I made a flan. No sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes either. Dressing, people, it's all about that dressing. Italian green beans, too. I am certain we will encounter leftovers at every house we go to.

I am making lists and checking them twice ..... hoping to not forget something on this trip. I made two batches of Chex mix to have on board. Road trip junk food is the best! We will be picking up my son and granddaughter Friday morning. I need to have food handy. I am certain they will be ravenous after an early morning trip to the airport and foodless flight. I just hope two batches of Chex mix will be enough ....

So, I was about the business of loading in all my clothes and such, when I looked out into the park. Something was amiss ....... After two loads in, it finally came to me. My tenants owing me $360 are gone. So is my money. The man called last week to say he knew he owed the money and would be in to pay. He told me his mother had died and that's why they weren't here in the park, in their trailer, but that he wanted to "settle up" with me.

Given my current situation , I felt real empathy for him losing his mother. I told him I was so sorry for his loss and to just come in when he could. I did think it was a little strange when he seemed a bit confused at my condolences, but I imagine I seem a little "off " myself these days.

But, the trailer is gone and I have no address to forward a bill to. Just as well, since I would have to certify it and then go to the court house and file a complaint. All that stuff costs money, and even if you win a judgment, it doesn't mean you will get your money. Not to mention the time involved with all of it. I feel a little sick when I add up all the instances that folks have managed to skip out without paying. Then I remember ........ it will all come full circle. Always does.

So, I will only dwell on the positive and remember all the nice things people do for me. No shortage there, as I have wonderful friends that always surround me when I am down.