Getting Old Sucks - Big Time!!
It's been really hard to sit down and write something on this blog. There are many things I could write about and the usually come to me just as I'm about to drift off into blissful sleep. Of course getting up at that point is really not an option.
Point is, I seem to be unable to concentrate on anything other than health issues recently and that really pissses me off. When all you can talk about or write about is the crappy foot or the blind eyes maybe it's time to pack it in.
The good news of course was that I didn't have retinal detachment and the bad news is that both my eyes have cataracts, one worse than the other. I was warned about that back in March when I had the retinal surgery. I was told that the small cataract that was there would grow more quickly than normal and would probably have to be operated within a year. Well it didn't make it to a year. The eye started going fuzzy in early October while we were still in Greece and is probably the reason I fell. I just simply didn't see the curb. So next week I go for pre op and in early January I will have that surgery. Because this Ophthalmologist likes to do both eyes and because there is a small cataract on the other eye there will be another surgery in February. The good news here is if all works out I will be able to throw my glasses in the trash forever.
I also saw the foot surgeon and had a few choice words for him. I lay the blame sqarely on the technician who removed the pins from my toes for the infection. I blame the surgeon for messing up my foot so that my toes no longer bend. He says there's no reason the shouldn't and can't understand why they dont. I think I figure it out. He straightened them too much, pulled the tendons too tight and that's why they don't move. He also told me that they would probably never bend again. Hah... he doesn't know me. I have started a rigorous program of soaking the foot in hot water and manually bending them a couple of times a day. I'm at the stage now where I can pick up a pen off the floor with the toes. I dont give up easily. I did tell him that he should never touch another human being again, ever. He didn't book anymore follow up appointments with me.
Since I have become so deconditioned by not being able to walk properly for such a long time I've also devised an exercise program for myself which includes a few miles on my stationary bike, some dumbbells and some balance exercises. I am so determined that I will some day hike Mount Indefitigable in Alberta.
And then there's my abdominal pains, mustn't forget those. Since I had my gallbladder out two years ago I have had about six attacks that feel just like a gallbladder attack. It's bizarre and I asked my doc if maybe they'd made a mistake and it was still there. The suspicion at this point is that there might be a small stone hiding in the bile duct. I had an ultra sound last week and will know by the end of next week what the score is. Hope it's nothing bad, that darn ultra sound woman was totally non comittal.
So there you go. If you made it this far into my rant you deserve a medal. Hell, I deserve one for being able to see enough to type this. All my knitting is on hold, there's no reading happening and I don't spend a lot of time on line because it just bothers my eyes too much.
I am though, seriously looking forward to the trip to Calgary even though it's a freezing -27c there at the moment. I'm hoping for a chinook by the time we get there...
Labels: Health
posted by Rositta @ Tuesday, December 08, 2009
8 Comments:
Thanks for the medal! ;-)
Don't be too hard on yourself. Of course you worry, and write about health issues, that is very understandable. Your life will change big time once you have had the cataracts sorted. Aaand you can bend your toes! Doctors, what do they know?
You've really been through the wringer this year, haven't you? Maybe you should use my freeze out method and give 2009 the cold shoulder.
I hope all of your issues get remedied shortly. I miss your poignant blogs--but who can blame you with all you have on your plate?
Wow, I'm so sorry you're still feeling bad. Too much stuff all at once, eh? My grandmother had cataract surgery way back when and it worked wonders
Yeah, 2009 has been kind of a crappy year. Let's start thinking about all the good things to come in 2010! I bet you WILL be able to walk up that mountain. :-)
2010 will be an awesome year, I feel it in my bones. I'm dealing with one issue at a time so that I won't be overwhelmed. I think my vision is paramount and I have high expectations in that regard.
i think you're right. 2010 is going to be very good for you.
i read a lot of positives in your post. you are determined to heal and regain what you feel you've lost up to this point. that is a good thing. the mind is a powerful tool when trying to recover. we have to be determined to heal, and heal ourselves if we must.
that's excellent your working that foot in the warm bath water. there is something about working these things in warmth. i've been doing the same thing with my hand. what about seeing another doc, and getting his opinion on what is happening? just a thought.
hang in there, rositta.
Chrysalis, I have had enough of doctors for a while. The foot surgeon thought he could operate again but I said "no thanks". Perseverance is what I'll try for a while, maybe that will work. I hope your hand gets better too...
Rossita, don't even think of packing it in. Crap, we have these personal blogs where we can complain to the masses, and it lifts a weight off your shoulders. Not only does the act of writing help with thought process, but it does have a positive impact psychologically. Your thoughts become concrete elements of which you can assess, change, or rebut. You organize the brain this way, plus it doesn't cause one to ruminate as much. Yes, you have had a craptastic year healthwise, but look at you, you are rising above it and still have the tenacity and the drive to wiggle those toes, and get moving. You are a fighter, and good for you. Have you thought of putting those thermacare heat things in your shoes for the toes? I wonder if they can be cut?
Lisa thanks for your comment and vote of confidence. There is more going on behind the scenes that I don't write about but that does worry me. I have decided to have the CT scan in January. First things first though and I absolutely must have the cataract surgery first. Being unable to see clearly is a huge problem. When that is solved we'll tackle the abdominal issue. As for the foot I'm just soaking in hot water with Epsom salt daily and exercising. There is some progress.
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