Sometimes we look at sights in nature but don't really see. While hiking in the woods the other day, it became a realization that we need to open our heart and eyes to see the beauty of the simple things in nature with each season. There is so much order and purpose in His creation. God has given us awesome beauty in this world to see and enjoy... if we would but stop to see and feel it. Join us as this blog is about stopping to see the real beauty around us...to touch and feel it... "Through the Lens".

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Saturday, August 25, 2018

We Got A Lot of 'Splainin' to Do...

Where have Mike and Gerri been?  Wow!!  That’s a long story so I won’t bore you with all the details but the short version goes something like this.                              

Mike has continued to really suffer with these ruptured discs.  His leg is painful and the top of his foot extremely painful.  He's been doing spinal decompression along with laser and Estem treatments.  He still cannot wear long pants because anything touching his leg gives way to pain and he's been wearing flip flops because nothing can touch the top of his foot...very sensitive to touch.  He had a lumbar epidural two weeks ago and he feels like it helped some.  He can now wiggle his toes and has some feeling in the big toe. He is scheduled for another September 13th.  It has become quite obvious that this will take some time.          

During all of this I have been doing the chores for both of us.  As you all know, we have a young Golden that at this time was learning to walk on the leash and be a "good boy".  Well, he pulled a bit whenever I would walk him and low and behold the back of my knee began to hurt whenever I was walking.  I didn't pay too much attention to it....just kept on going.  Until.... one day I was in a bit of a hurry and got into the truck a little too fast and felt a pop or snap in the back of my knee.  I grabbed it and screamed because the pain was immense.  I couldn't walk...not a bit.  I got home and managed to get out of the truck which wasn't a pretty sight but I got out.  I also had to butt scoot up the RV steps to get inside.  I got in bed where I remained for 6 days....yes, you read that right, 6 days!!  I elevated the leg, iced it on schedule, compressed it from time to time and mainly just rested it.  I couldn't go to the doctor yet because I couldn't get into the truck.  The nurse I talked to felt that what I was doing was good and didn't sound like anything was broken or fractured so I could wait a few days to see the orthopedic doctor.  It turns out that when my appointment day came I still couldn't get into the truck so we rented a car for the occasion.                

The doctor took a few x-rays and did his exam of the knee and then asked me why I felt it was a knee problem?  Oh my!!  Maybe because that's where the pain is and where I heard and felt that awful pop/snap??  He said he felt it was my back, osteoarthritis and a weak hamstring.  I have continued to improve each day and no longer have to use crutches.  It took the longest time to figure out those RV steps.  I googled this...you know you can google anything these days.  It said to use the heaven/hell approach.  The good leg is heaven and it goes UP the steps.  The bad leg is hell and it goes DOWN the steps.  I tried it and it works!!

Today was physical therapy day!!!  The therapist did her own exam of the knee and concurred it was osteoarthritis, a weak hamstring and IT Band Syndrome...which means Iliotibial band.  This is the pain I felt on the right side of the knee and behind the knee each time I would walk and probably what I felt "snap" when I got into the truck.  She saw no evidence of a back problem...Yay!!            


So this is what we have been doing for nearly a month!!   I apologize for not being on the blogs lately.  I (we) have read your blogs but just have both been too tired and hurting to be on line long enough to write comments.  Hopefully, we are getting back in the saddle again.         


We did manage during some of the time before my injury to get to the pier in Fairhope and see some beautiful sunsets and cloud formations.  Since we haven't traveled anywhere except to the hospital, doctor's offices and physical therapy I thought I would spare you that excitement and instead share some of our evenings on the pier at Mobile Bay!!  I hope you enjoy...we sure did. 




            




 


Today on Facebook my friend, Ruth Hiebert wrote this....

"God writes the Gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in flowers and clouds and stars".                 


Thank you, Ruth for that insight!!!  He sure does!!!



13 comments:

  1. You guys have been having a rough time. I wouldn't feel like blogging either. I am praying you are both now on the road to recovery and less pain.

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  2. Just recovering from your Injuries is a fulltime job in itself.
    Amazing that some doctors don't know what they should.
    Hopefully you have someone taking care of the Pup.
    Be safe and Enjoy!

    It's about time.

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  3. I am so sorry to hear about your health problems, both of you. I will continue to pray for both of you. Take care of yourselves.

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  4. Oh My Goodness... I am SO sorry to hear this... I had hoped that Mike was doing great and that the two of you were out RV'ing somewhere having a great time... Dang!

    When I was younger, I never dreamed about having all of the aches and pains and problems that I've had ... It's really hard to get OLD, isn't it? SO sorry, Gerri and Mike... My love and prayers are with you BOTH...

    Fantastic photos!!!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  5. Oh my. When it rains, it pours. Just this morning I was wondering about the two of you and was so happy to find your post in my inbox. I've had IT band trouble in the past too so know it can be painful and frustrating because of how slow it is to heal. Sounds like you both are on the mend though. I certainly hope this means the worst is behind both of you. Now you can just keep getting better and better. That's the wishes I'm sending into the universe for you. Take care, take it easy and stay positive.

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  6. Oh my! Your description of your "knee" injury was so vivid I almost screamed with you. So who's walking Asher during your joint disability? I do pray that you'll both see improvements in your conditions...soon.

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  7. Here's hoping you are both on the road to recovery.

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  8. You two have been hit hard. Take care.

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  9. You have been through and still are going through so much.I do hope and pray that things will settle down and you can both enjoy tpainfree living again.I love the beautiful skies you shared.

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  10. You two have been having way more than your share of pain:( I sure hope you both recover quickly and get back to having some fun:) We will keeep you in our thoughts.

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  11. I had no idea how much pain Mike is in. Hugh prayers that this next treatment will give him even more relief from his pain.
    Gerri...I am sending up prayers that you continue to heal. I can’t imagine how much pain you must have been in. I hurt just reading about it. Keep up the good work and continue to work hard at PT. You are a strong woman.
    I did enjoy Mobile Bay! Beautiful, gorgeous sunsets.

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  12. Boy, I can't even imagine what you two are going through...and then to have the will and positive attitude to type out a blog...I think it qualifies you for "Rv'ers of the Year" at the very least..Before I forget magnificent sunset photo's!!! Take care of yourselves..thoughts and prayers going your way. Horst sends

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  13. Oh Gerry >>> I feel so bad for you and Mike. What a rough time you have been going thru. I had to chuckle on the heaven/hell formula. Gotta remember that. I pray that you are both on the mend and soon able to again follow your dreams and look at life thru the lens.

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