Finally relief

 It's with much happiness that I can now say the pain in my arms is much better. The only time I have issues is when I over use my right arm or sleep in a way that I am not suppose to. I've had to find a way to sleep at night so my arms are in a position recommended by the doctor. It took a good long time to get any sleep and used to a position that worked. At night I do wake up and find my arms in the old position but quickly remedy that. I'm still not sleeping well most nights but I guess that is just the way it's going to be for quite some time. 

 With the rising outside temps I've been so ready to use the pool. But the water temp in the pool is COLD. I don't like to be in ice water or be in pain from the cold water. I'm angry to say the least that they are doing nothing to raise the pool water temps to where it should be. In the four years we have lived in this park the water has never been this terribly cold. Maybe in August, when the sun has warmed the water in the pool, I can enjoy some pool time. 😡

Just another day in May.

 We have had three of the most beautiful days, weather wise. The mornings have been nice and cool, to us it has been quite chilly. The afternoons in the mid and low 80's. Doors and windows have been wide open so we could air out the place before the heat returns and the a/c once again goes on and on.

With the cooler weather I was and still am, in a baking frenzy. Each morning for the last three days I've baked cookies and desserts to get us through at least a few weeks of not having to purchase and eat store bought cookies. We both enjoy cookies with our morning coffee so they don't last long around here. This morning will be the last baking day for quite some time. 

So far my arms have tolerated the baking and extra movements. The injections really didn't help like we were hoping and I can not sleep the way I should be either. So my right arm is still the worst of the two, but at least it is a smidge better. I will be going back to Dr Clark if I feel there is anymore he can do. As of right now, there isn't much. It's just something I'll have to live with until surgery deems necessary.  So I'll just keep my chin up and thank God that it's not worse.

I'm gradually learning how to use my embroidery machine again. The auto threaded just will not work and I've watched every video and read everything I can find. As far as it looks, I'm doing it correctly, so I'll be calling the 800 number next. With the constant changing of thread the threader is a must have. And with bifocals it really is a must!!!!!!

Again today the wind is keeping most people inside. Even on a nice day it's not fun eating dirt! The porch is becoming a sandbox and cleaning it off is futile. Even Mandy is a walking sandbox. She will need a bath shortly. It's still two weeks out for her groomer appointment. When I'm done with the cookies and dishes, I'll put her in the sink and give her a much needed bath. For the last week or longer, Mark has been saying he will do it. LOL

This weekend the temps will be in the low 100's so it will finally be warm enough for me to give the pool another try. Not much I can do without making my arms worse so i'll have to find other methods of getting some exercise and a tan. 😎

Since finding out that our previous church in MN has on line Sunday services, we have been back to enjoying church again. A dear friend got me lined up with the bible study too. Sadly the study is done for the summer now, but I did enjoy it for a couple weeks. But I do have some bible study books so I can continue on my own. Which is nice but nearly as much fun or much help with understanding. It's always nice hearing another person perspective on a topic.

Morning is slipping by quickly so I'll end this entry and get to my baking. Today I'm making Mark's favorite cookies; Million Dollar cookies. The recipe can be found on my recipe blog...... http://mammascookin.blogspot.com/

Another doctor for me

Yesterday afternoon, I met with the orthopedic doctor of my choice!! I saw Dr Clark about 6.5 years ago with my elbow and liked him.  He is very thorough, understanding, listens and explains everything. He showed me the MRI  and explained everything so I could understand. The doctor that issued the MRI two years ago, never had me come back, period. Dr Clark said I do not need rotator cuff surgery at this time and he doesn’t recommend it at this time either. I can still do things on my own. He had me move my arms every which way.  He did give me an injection into both shoulders and said that I need to learn a new way of how I lay to sleep. Oh joy, no more sleeping for quite some time. I’ve tried other ways before and I was up all night. But I will keep trying and Mark will sleep in the other bed so I can try and set up a new sleep position without worrying if I bother him or not. Last night I had to sit with heat on each shoulder for 20 minutes every hour tonight. But that didn't do well. I can’t sit for 40 minutes straight every hour!!!!! I can take Tylenol or my pain pills to help tonight. But after that the shots should have helped some. I can go to the pool but have to be careful not to over extend my arms. Geesh too many restrictions. Old age sucks. LOL I hope that the shots not only help my shoulder but the pain in my arm muscles. 🥴 I forgot to mention that. Oh well, I’m sure he knows, it all goes hand in hand. If or when I do need surgery I feel confident in him. Even Mark was impressed, that is quite a feather in Dr Clarks cap.

 I'm so glad that I took the initiative to just call the doctor of my choice not settle for the ones that my PCP suggested. At the time I didn't know that I did not need a referral to see a specialist. My insurance doesn't require one, which I didn't know at first. Anyway I am very pleased with Dr Clark and if or when I do need the surgery I will fell comfortable with him. Now to just find a good cardiologist for Mark. But we are working on that too.

The injections seem to have helped. My right are was worse than my left so I had better put heat or ice on it today yet. Just changing the sheets today and then give both arms a break. Mark is great at helping, I just have to ask. I'm not good at asking for help so I have to work on that too.

Easter Blessings to all

 

It stinks to get older

 As a kid, why in the world did I wish to be older. How little we know that it can be so tough. This week was one doctors appointment after another. Check ups, follow ups and tests.

Mark is waiting for his test results from an Echo and I'm waiting for an appointment with a surgeon. Yesterday I went in to the doctor hoping to get cortizone shots in my shoulders and hip to help with the pain. Little did I know that that is not in the cards for me. My hip has bursitis so I was given several PT exercises to do. The pain is too much to do alone so Mark has to help me until it isn't too painful to do without his help.  I was told that the injections would or could do more harm than good in my shoulders. There are too many tears in my upper arms (rotator cuff) so surgery is in my future. After we talk to the surgeon I will or will not make a date for the procedure. Mark is insistent that I have the surgery so that I get his help with daily tasks now  incase something would happen to him later and I would have to rely on outside help and no one here to help me at any given time. He always thinks of me. If I should go ahead with the surgery, it would be in the fall. Summer I like to spend in the pool where as in the fall and winter I hibernate anyway. Too many snowbirds around for us to have any fun anywhere. It's almost impossible to even go out to eat.

Update: As I looked and read what my x-rays show, it is not bursitis in my hip. I'm going to another doctor for another opinion. As well as for my shoulders. My previous visit does not seem to be correct.

Done

 We are finally done with the major updates to our new place. The last of the sunscreens were installed today. So we are as ready for summer as we can get. Well the house is ready anyway. 

 We chatted about all that we needed to do to a move in ready house. If you weren't going to live here full time it was move in ready. Or if you didn't cook or bake, it was ready, or if you were really short and didn't need to replace the very short toilet, it was ready.  But isn't that true with anyplace you move into? Is there not always some things that you need to have done to make it work for you and your lifestyle? Mark really could use a new shed too. The floor is about to give way and it is so small it's hard to turn around inside.

We have been having some hot summer days already this spring. This week it has been in the mid and upper 90's. And along with the high temps the high winds have also been an issue. Dirt and debris wickedly flying all over. It would be good days for a dip in the pool but the last of the snowbirds are winding down with their drunken pool parties. Let them have at it, we will get our turn shortly for much longer enjoyment.

From an old shoe to a glass slipper

 When we picked Mandy up at the human society we were proud because she looked so tough that we though no one would want her. But....... after trip to the groomer to get all cleaned up, she went from an ugly old shoe to a pretty glass slipper. The first picture is the day we brought her home and the second pic is after the groomer. 

Mandy is a "typical" little girl....She loves to put on her pretty dresses and cute shirts. Yep, she puts her head right through the head hole as well as her legs in the right ones. She is also not real happy when it's time to take off her dress or shirt. What a Diva. LOL

She prances down the street like the queen of the RV park. I'ld say we made one little dog very happy. And she has made us happy too.