For those of you interested Only in TRAVEL, I (Jack) wrote the blog between MARCH 2010 and October 2010 during our travels west. We saw the most beautiful places and had the best time in our big truck and little trailer. See Blog Archive below.

Nov 12, 2014

Hope Springs Eternal

I have some good news about pain. No, it's not gone, but it is becoming more and more tolerable. The lidocaine and steroids wore off so the good news is that it means that this ablation worked and is now taking effect unlike the last time. I still can't understand why burning or cutting the nerves is not immediate, but that's the way it works. My doctor is cautiously optimistic, just as I am. He is wonderful. I still take pain medication, but the difference is (I think) that it works on the muscle pain now that the SI joint pain appears to have responded to the ablation. Before just recently, it didn't seem to make any difference whether I took pain medication or not because it did nothing at all for the SI joint.  I may always have to take it, but I'm hoping as the muscles I haven't used for so long, start working, again, I'll be able to take less and less medication. He told Susan that he may prescribe another round of aqua therapy. She works with him a lot so he gets updates all the time and visa versa. :)

I have been to the mall to buy a sofa which is the first time I've "shopped" in the mall in four years. Rather than "walk" the mall as in "therapy", I try to walk to enjoy it. I stay on even ground, temporarily, because of balance problems. Sometimes, I push it too much, and then I back off and remember "baby steps".

I can grocery shop. I can clean house. Instead of vacuuming three feet at a time, I'm up to vacuuming the whole downstairs at once. Not without pain, but it's bearable pain. It seems to be a little less pain each day. I really didn't think the ablation worked so I was surprised with this turn of events. The doctor who did the ablation went in so many more times than the first and he said he was trying different approaches. He is a hero in my eyes. Even if I can get six months at a time out of ablations, I'll take what I can get. In most cases, the nerves eventually repair themselves.

Inside I feel like shouting from the roof tops, but I almost feel as though I don't want to jinx myself. Silly, I know. I feel so grateful just to be able to walk to the mailbox and back without pain. I can't walk Jack, yet, because I need to stay on level ground as I don't want to risk a fall. (Again, because my balance is still not great.) I met Susan for dinner the other night. I parked the truck far away sort of as a test for myself. I walked to the truck and back without even a twinge of pain. Those steps were the most pain free I've had in years (without lidocaine in the joint).

So! The trailer stays for now. I made reservations for Charleston in the spring with Susan. She can help me get Jack into the truck. I can't wait! I'm hoping that this time I can walk around more in the city. And now, a trip west isn't just a pipe dream for the future.

I hate writing about my pain, but if I can make one person aware of their SI joints and ablation and how it works, readers will just skip over if not interested.

Son, Michael, has his own back problems. Fortunately, while they are painful, they are not serious enough to require surgery. He loves cycling, but it irritates his back, so from my favorite state of Oregon, he ordered a recumbent bike.
There's definitely a learning curve, but knowing Michael he'll be past it in no  time. Naturally, I had to bite my lip--my instinct wanted to tell him to stay on the sidewalk. :)
Bogey--he gets so comfy!
You tawkin' to me???
Jack takes a snooze. Bogey follows him everywhere--especially in the back yard.

Back to the Future, Maybe? That's my precious Lizzie by my chair, and of course a younger Jack.



23 comments:

  1. Yup, that looks like an Oregon bike alright...see quite a few of them here. Glad to hear that you're doing a bit better. Nice to see pictures of Jack and Bogey. Say Hi to them from Ollie and Jewel, and give them a hug from us.

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    1. Hi, Russ! Thank you for stopping by. Give my regards to Donna. Sandie and Jim agreed, when they stopped by, that you were two were among our favorite people. Pats and a hug from Jack and Bogey (who grows more civilized by the day). :)

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  2. So happy to hear you are doing so well. I know it has been a long road. Hope to see you and Jack on the road someday.
    Hugs,
    Karen

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    1. Karen, thank you so much. Yes, it has been a long road--if I do get on the road, again, I hope we can meet, too.

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  3. I was so happy to read that you are doing so much better. If you do make that trip west - you know we hope for a meet and greet!!! Take care and hugs to the pooches.

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  4. Thank you, Donna. I wouldn't be in Oregon unless I tracked you, Russ, Jewel and Ollie down! Hugs to them.

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  5. Was going to call you today to see how the ablations was lasting...but was afraid to for fear it would be like last time. Hooray

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    1. Each passing day I feel closer to screaming Hooray! I was trying very hard this time not to get my hopes up only to crash and burn. I think celebrating over lunch would be great when you guys are up to it. :)

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  6. Great to hear you are feeling much better and able to do a few simple chores again. You know you're feeling better when being able to do chores feels like a blessing - especially vacuuming. Sure hope the good news continues.

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    1. Thanks, Rick. Vacuuming was agony, so yes, especially vacuuming. Thanks for your good wishes.

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  7. That is great news! Come on out any Sunday for a tour. ;)

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    1. You can be I'll be there sometime, Judith. :)

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  8. I'm so happy I'm going to cry. To think you were able to walk around the Mall and do some vacuuming. That is amazing. Give Jack a hug and Susan our love. And hugs to you from our house.

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    1. Awwww...you're so sweet, Sandie. All the hugs sent back to you.

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  9. What wonderful news. Just take it as it comes and maybe we will be camping together one of these days.
    The boys look so relaxed and comfy. We send out love to you all

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    1. Thanks, Jo. Ya never know--maybe one of these days. The boys are comfortable, that's for sure. Jack had his six month check up--all looks well. Just waiting on the blood test results. Hugs and pats to Fred.

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  11. Catching up, Nancy or well, trying to ... so glad to read you're doing good. Little things mean so much to be able to do.... living with pain has got to be no ...... fun.

    Jack and Bogey are very handsome spoiled doggies ... Hahaaaa ... love the picture of them on their beds ... nary a care in the world ... and that's how all us creatures ought to be ... nary a care ...

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  12. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas, Nancy and Jack ;) hope you're feeling no pain ... sigh

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  13. I'm in the same boat, Carolyn. I'll never catch up! I have good intentions. That and a dime will get me on the subway (well, used to). LOL

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  14. Nancy, I don't know how I missed this post so long ago and I'm so sorry I did. I've been wondering how you and Jack are and now I see this new memorial post to him but no way to post a comment to tell you how very sad I am at his passing. I read a lot of blogs by a lot of people who have dogs but none seems to have captured my heart like Jack. He was an old soul, a wise old soul and how lucky you two were to have found each other. I'm so very very sorry for your loss. It brings tears to my eyes as I type this. I hope you'll post again and let us know how you are doing and feeling. I hope things are better for your physically.

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  15. Nancy I couldn't see a way to leave a note on the latest post but I wanted you to know how my heart just aches for you. I had always hoped to have a chance to meet Jack but I guess it was not to be. Hope each day gets easier. Hugs, Karen

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  16. Since there wasn't a comment section in your last post just hoped you would read this. I am so sorry for your loss of Jack. Sending my heart felt hugs to you.

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