Mon. Nov. 3, 2008

Where does the time go to? It's been awhile since I last came to post anything. There always seems to be lots of things to do, or I'm not really feeling up to doing much of it. Since I last posted, I've had knee replacement surgery and spent a week in the hospital. It actually wasn't as bad as what I was expecting, but one thing I know, is that they really need to make sure people are given enough pain medication for those first few weeks in order to keep the pain lowered so they can get enough sleep through the nights and be able to get about during the day and do the things that need to be done. I'm not trying to kid anyone by saying that there was no pain, because there was, but it was tolerable in that I was able to get through it and not be afraid to get the other knee done. I'm more than prepared to get the other knee done now that I know what to expect. It's so very nice not to have the constant pain 24/7 in my right knee like I was getting before, and thankfully they did the surgery on the knee that was the worst.
The day that I went in to have the surgery, I was really worried about what to expect, and concerned about all the possible risks that come along with any kind of surgery. They gave me a sedative to relax me then got all of my information and vitals, and rolled me into surgery. Once there they did a spinal and froze the lower half of my body and started the surgery. An additional sedative helped relax me more, but I remained awake and only drowsy. I wasn't really able to see very much without my glasses and the sheet that they draped up in front of me. I knew they were moving my leg around and painting it with iodine/disenfectant. I'm not really sure how long the surgery actually took, but at least when it was done and over with I was moved to the recovery room for a little while then up to my room, where at least I was awake and not having to worry about the effects of any anesthetic. They got me up the following morning to move as far as the bathroom, and each day it was a little more moving and bending the leg till I could get more movement out of it. My surgery was a Tues. and I was back home on the Tues. I was still in a lot of pain that week and struggling to get around, but I managed. Physiotherapy helped along with just regular use of my leg and knee along with some pain medication to help me through the worst of it. While it still hurts at times, it is nothing in comparison to the constant pain that I used to get all of the time. At least now I can get around better with much less pain.

We also managed to get away on our vacation in August, and I was able to start driving and getting around better. Jen was also able to drive which made it much easier to do things, and now she actually has her driver's licence which she managed to get in Sept.

With the changing weather, and drop in the temperature, along with much damper weather, I am finding it a struggle again to get around on my other knee which is still full of arthritis. I am also finding I am struggling with the pain from the fibromyalgia some days, but I know that is gonna be a problem anyway. Now if I could just get out walking more, and start losing some weight, I imagine it would help to reduce my weight and possibly help with the pain.

Anyway, life goes on....!!

There have been many other situations to deal with around here, some of which I can't get into. One thing that happened at the end of our holidays, is that Earl developed pain in his one leg, and after he returned to work, found it very painful and hard to stand on. The leg also swelled up, and had a large bruise on it, so he ended up going to emergency only to learn that he had a rather large blood clot in his leg. They put him on pain medication as well as blood thinners, and he had to keep his leg up and rested for quite some time as well as not being able to drive, so I had to be driving him all over for awhile. Thankfully he is now back to work, and we are anxious for his first pay check to finally come in, and try to get some bills paid, before they start shutting things down on us.

The girls are both in high school, and J is still working at McD's. It's gonna be a lot more work for her this year and next so hopefully she's able to get through it all. B got involved in the basketball team shortly after school started and she had been enjoying that every since. K is also there this year. They are growing up so fast!!
Well, we are into November now, and it won't be long till winter arrives. Yikes....not looking forward to that, or the winter driving and especially not in letting J drive through it. It can be pretty rough driving around here.

Prayers Needed

Tues. Feb. 12, 2008
It's 3:30 am and I just can't seem to sleep. I'm fighting off a headache, dealing with muscle pain from the fibromyalgia, fighting sinus problems, and trying to calm a mind that won't seem to stop going this night. I'm worried about my cousin who is going through tests for cancer, and I know her family is going through an awful time right now as they also worry about their daughter. Although she is 30 years old and old enough to make her own decisions and choices in life, I'm concerned that she may be in grave danger. She's been dealing with alcoholism, and as a result of this, lost her son to children's aid. Because of that she's just been drifting in and out of relationships and has just recently been badly beaten up and terribly abused by this guy she moved in with. It has only been a few weeks since he broke her jaw, and left her badly bruised and afraid. He was arrested for abuse, and has just got out of jail. I just learned that she has now left the safety of her families home and gotten onto a bus to go back to this guy. She has been offered all sorts of help, and has a family who wants to help her, but she won't accept their help.There is deep concern about what might happen to her once this guy has her back in his place.
Please, if anyone reads this, could you please pray for her. Her name is Cheri. I'm so worried about her and the choices she is making in her life, which I fear are only clouded over by the alcohol and pain of what she has been going through.
Father God, Please place a hedge of protection around Cheri and keep her safe from all harm. Please help her to realize her need to have you back in her life, held in the palm of your hands and surrounded by your love. In Jesus name. Amen.

God's Creations

Pretty little petals
So soft and smooth
Falling from the flowers
Drifting to the ground.
Delicate and silky
Lovely and small
So many bright colours
That shine for us all.
Flowers that bloom
Within the garden beds
Each one so special
And so wonderfully made.
All are God's creations
His gifts to the world
Each with it's own beauty
And so lovely to behold.

Happy New Year.

Another New Year is upon us. It is now 2008!!

Another New Year !

We are already half way through the month of January, 2008. This month the weather has been crazy. We have gone through mild spells and made some record highs for this time of year. All the snow melted and disappeared, and it was just like a nice spring day for a little while. Now the temp has dropped again, and once again, the ground is white. Mind you there isn't a whole lot of the stuff out there, but just enough to make it slippery, and to remind us that winter is still here.

In less than a week, my lovely daughter will be turning 16 years of age. Another milestone in her life, and a year for many changes, thoughts and opportunities. One thing I know she is planning to do is to get her driver's license. A smart thing to get in todays society, and with the way things are nowadays. Transportation is an important and neccessary part of our lives, and independence and having the ability to drive ones self is really a good thing for any person to have. It might be difficult going through the various processes to reach that point of independence, but I think it is well worth it, and something I would advise everyone to get, especially other women.

According to my daughter she is now officially old enough to get a tatoo if she wants to. She is now old enough to drive. She is now old enough to make more important decisions for herself. She also claims she is old enough to walk out of here and get her own place. I wonder how many teens her age thing the same thing?

We are always in a rush to grow up, to gain our independence and freedom, to go out into the world, and to do the things we think we need to rush into. If we only had the ability to know what we know now, and to walk these same pathways as a young teen again. I know I would certainly make some changes in what I would do, and try to learn from what others have already done.

I know I would certainly have lived at home longer, and taken advantage of a free or cheap place to live, three meals on the table, a place to keep my laundry done, my own room, and only a few chores to do. Of course there were things my parents and I didn't always agree with, but it was still a lot easier than trying to manage out there all alone, and try to attend school, go to work and pay for everything. There are certainly better things one can do for one's self, and better ways to spend one's money. With the cost of schooling, especially college and university, it's always good to have something to put away towards ones education.

Still life goes on. Now I will see what happens around here with my life, and that of my beloved children.
Blessings.