Random Thoughts, Purposeful LifeEnd of Spring Update
Good evening, friends! Welcome back to Random Thoughts, Purposeful Life. There’s a lot to talk about tonight, so pull up a chair and grab a glass of that iced tea. Let’s chat a while, shall we?
I can’t believe I haven’t checked in since February. A lot has happened since then, so let’s get right to it.
I hinted around at a doctor’s visit I had back in late winter and early spring. The issues I’ve had with my back since Hurricane Milton aren’t getting better. In late January, I had a scare with some new numbness in my legs that had crept above my knees and into what doctors politely refer to as the “saddle area.” While the sciatica and numbness never seemed particularly concerning to my doctor, they’ve certainly been concerning to me.
A set of x-rays and a hard-fought MRI later, there have been some significant findings. One likely explains the sciatica, and all of them together explain why my back is getting ready to file for divorce any day now.
In plain English, my MRI showed narrowing in my lower spine, especially at L3-L4. The report suggests that part of my spinal canal may be naturally smaller front-to-back, described as “developmental,” while age and wear-and-tear changes in the joints and supporting structures of my spine are narrowing things further. In other words, this isn’t just a disc problem. The main issue appears to be a combination of a smaller spinal canal, arthritic changes in the facet joints, and mild vertebral slippage, all of which can crowd the nerves and contribute to sciatica-type symptoms.
Just what I wanted to hear.
If that wasn’t enough excitement for one season, both Mercy, my poor skinny little walking head case, and Bella have spent much of the spring under the weather. Mercy’s issues are ongoing. We saw a new veterinarian in early spring who believes we’re dealing with advanced gastritis. She now fights medication with the determination of a cat possessing eight additional paws, four sets of teeth, and the heart of a championship boxer.
Bella’s problems began with a urinary tract infection in January that put me on high alert. After a second round of infection, we discovered the culprit: a bladder stone. Thankfully, her bloodwork looked good, but it has been one more thing added to an already overflowing plate.
Speaking of overflowing plates, let’s move on to the grandfather of all stressors: major surgery.
Not mine, unfortunately. My back and I don’t rank high enough on the household priority list for that distinction. I’m not really joking when I say that. If I go down, the entire household stops functioning. Caregiving is the career from which there is no vacation, no sick leave, no clocking out at the end of the day, and very little pay.
If you guessed Hubby for the surgery, you win today’s consolation prize: my sob story. Now, this is an ongoing issue over the last twelve months. Pain, and what he described as “sand paper in the muscle,” needed some extra attention. What the doctor discovered was extra bone growth from his 2012 total hip replacement, except this bone is making its home in the muscles around the implant. So, he’s set for a hip revision with this extra bone removed at the same time.
I know y’all realize the problems I’ve had with Hubby over the years. And though some of you might be reluctant to remember him in prayer, I’d like to respectfully ask for some on his behalf, anyway. Yes, our past is troubled. But he’s nervous, and he has good reason to be, without me going into the laundry list of issues he is dealing with. This isn’t my place to disclose such things. But what I will say is that this date still depends on one person; the surgeon responsible for this procedure.
Well… Friday morning, the surgeon said no. And just like that, everything—the last six weeks worth of work, appointments, stress, management—wasted. Totally wasted. All because a stubborn man cannot be managed. He almost always must be tricked. Either I’m too honest, too burned out, or too afraid to cross him at this point. Maybe a combination of all three.
Y’all? I’m tired. Not in the traditional “go take a nap, silly woman” context. But a bone-weary, if nothing changes, I’ll break kind of tired. The tired of a woman carrying two sick cats, a household held together with duct tape and sarcasm, and a husband who seems convinced that doctors merely offer suggestions. The tired that comes from being the keeper of appointments, medications, emergencies, reminders, and contingency plans. The tired that whispers, “What happens if I don’t do it?” because experience has taught me the answer is usually, “Nobody else will.”
And now, because I can’t leave this post wallowing in sorrow and pain, I have some better news.
Last June, I was invited to Amazon Vine as a “Voice.” If you’re not familiar, it’s a program designed to help Amazon vendors accumulate reviews on their products. In exchange for an honest, unbiased review, these companies provide the products at no cost.
If there was ever a job that had, “Wendy” on it, it’s this one. Writing reviews? Sign me up!
Over the past year, I’ve snagged some genuinely great things, but the granddaddy of the Vine items I’ve snagged was a 55″ Samsung Smart TV. Nothing will ever top that. Ever. Where we used to have an empty spot in the living room, we now have entertainment for the low, low price of free.
Sometimes, I wonder how I get so blessed, and yes, on top of everything? I’m ridiculously blessed. Let’s list them, shall we?
- Mercy and Bella. Are they challenging? Yes. Are they worth it? Also yes.
- Both this blog and The Farmer Legacy. I’m in the process of reformatting both. If you’re into slow-burn romance, come visit the Legacy page.
- A “job” that I love. Amazon might not be a job in the traditional sense, but it’s fun and I love it.
- Family and friends, including a few people who remind me that I’m not carrying it alone.
- A life that I’m continuing to improve.
- My faith.
So yeah, I’ll take it. All of it.
Thanks for coming and sitting with me for a glass of virtual iced tea.
Featured image courtesy of OpenAI. All written content is the result of human creativity.
#BackPain #Cats #chronicPain #fibromyalgia #Health #Journal #life #MentalHealth #Sciatica #Writing
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