We celebrate two anniversaries every year. This year is the 26th year that I’ve delivered a Limoges Box with poem that we call our “Limogesaversary.” However, I cut some corners this year with a Shamrock box from Bernardaud rather than the accredited Limoges sources. With most of my spending money going for medical expenses, I did the best I could. They are not really what we call “No-Moges” because they are still French made, but obviously less expensive than those bearing the “Paint Main” identification. The second box celebrates our 24th wedding anniversary – 2 for one. We’ll also be attending the Queen Nation concert the night of our actual date. Also see Post #2675 – St. Pat’s for the rest of the story.
Anniversary Thoughts
Twenty-Four years,
And little to spare.
But a plate for spaghetti,
And a poem to share.
The box is not authentic,
But the message sincere.
“Happy Anniversary” dear,
Tho’ it’s been a tough year.
You’ve been very patient,
Loving and kind.
I’m not a good patient,
Whimpered and whined.
I’ve hobbled along,
Tired of the pain.
Done what I can,
On walker and cane.
You’ve slept at my bedside,
Worried and cried.
And when I’ve been lost,
You’ve been my guide.
These are favors,
I wish not to return.
I wish you good health,
Hope it’s never your turn.
We’ve traveled the world,
A home with a pool.
Living the dream,
“Miss Denise” teaching school.
A happy pup,
And her older sister.
Plus, my Cutie Pie lover,
Just wanna Kiss her.
Kids on both coasts,
Friends that come stay.
Wonderful neighbors,
Resort life to play.
Another year,
Has passed us by.
All we’ve been through,
I wonder WHY?
Next year foretells promise,
Let’s hope for the best.
Our love conquers all,
Positivity our quest.
As I continue to struggle with sciatica pain in my left leg, my wife did not hesitate to invite the neighborhood to our house to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Since this event happened over a week ago, I’ve since met with my surgeon and have a L4-L5 spinal fusion scheduled for next week. Wish me Luck!
St. Pat’s
A party for 60,
Your husband a gimp.
No help from him,
He walks with a limp.
No luck from the Irish,
You organized it all.
Then cleaned it all up,
And repaired the wall.
You made it look easy,
Took time for bridge.
Dyed the beer green,
Sliders in the Fridge.
You’re the party queen,
In your grass skirt.
You make me proud,
Even when I hurt.
Not a true Limoges,
Though at least made there.
No “Peint Main” mark,
As I’m sure you’re aware.
Our cash cupboard is bare,
Did the best that I could.
So I honor Twenty-six,
With this poem, as I should.
Another Limogesaversary,
The first was Ninety-Nine.
Soon a Queen Nation concert,
For the date I made you mine.
I love you more,
Each and every day.
Here’s to remembering,
A Happy St. Pat’s Day.
I’m back to a normal routine, as I continue to write my daily post. There is a hole in my lower back, now exposed after the bandage fell off. The sutures will come out in a few days and there is little pain and only hints of the burning sensation that kept me up at night. I’ve slept peacefully since the surgery but still find myself limping, as the nerves continue to heal. Day-to-day progress is hard to measure but any discomfort has moved from my upper thigh to the back of my leg, similar to a hamstring injury. I hobbled down the street to a birthday party two nights ago and to and from a Super Bowl Party last night. In both cases, I confined myself to a chair once I got there.
My muscles are very weak, and it will probably be weeks before I get back to the gym. I’m very confident that the cyst they removed in surgery was the cause of my sciatica, dating back to nearly a year ago. I’ve suffered through physical therapy, steroid injections, and failed painkillers. Natural healing, followed by exercise will eventually get me back to normal. I’ve done my share of whining and feeling sorry for myself, but at least I now have a solution. I feel for those who suffer from ailments that seem to have no specific cause.
The Super Bowl was meaningless to me and I.U. basketball is as good as dead, so my passion for sports has disappeared. I watched some golf yesterday that looks so easy with these pros. Pickleball and tennis have little appeal, even when I’m healthy. Movies, books on tape, and documentaries occupy most of my idol time.
My poor wife is frustrated because of my recent snoring habit, certainly a biproduct of the pain killers I’ve been taking. I’ve eased myself off everything but Advil, so maybe now she can get some rest after taking care of me all day. I’m on the road to recovery!
It’s been since December 23rd, 46 days since I’ve written anything. It’s the longest stretch of inactivity since I started this blog. It’s good exercise for my fingers, although my tremors make it difficult to hit the right keys and can make writing quite difficult. I should probably use a voice function but fingers on keys feel good – more rewarding. My entries get little recognition, so this is all about personal therapy.
Sciatica pain has kept me from doing this blog. Sitting can be uncomfortable and being in pain does not provide much motivation for doing things. Netflix and books on tape keep me entertained, as I work on my tan, but also lead to many unproductive naps. Going to the gym has been limited to the stationary bike, more sitting on my butt. I’ve continued with chair yoga despite the limitations of my flexibility and lack of balance. I feel flabby and uncomfortable in my skin.
Yesterday, I finally got some relief. The surgeon removed a cyst that was choking my sciatic nerve. It apparently was a difficult procedure, but I obviously feel much better, as evidenced by my return to the keyboard. I hope to get back on track but need to find more interesting topics other than pain management that has consumed my mind for months. No one really wants to read about others misfortune, since we all regularly experience pain in different ways. At least, mine can be fixed. I promise to be more positive in the future, once I can comfortably walk again. Right now, I’m like a staggering, peg-legged pirate on an unsteady plank.
I’m lucky that I sought a second opinion. I was initially referred to a pain management doctor. The first steroid injection seemed to help, but the second and third seemed to aggravate the sciatic nerve. It was like I had a constant knot in my thigh, coupled with the burning sensations down my left leg. Nighttime was particularly difficult finding a comfortable position. Lying down seemed to aggravate these nerves even more and it felt like acid was dripping down my left leg; it was literally on fire! After this surgery, I didn’t have those uncomfortable sensations last night, an indication that the sciatic nerve is already healing. I can only hope this continues. When the pain management doctor suggested an insert called “The Minuteman,” I asked around for others that had gone through this or knew someone who had? After little feedback, I consulted a neurosurgeon that had done spinal work on several neighbors.
There were more delays getting in to see him, and the pain persisted, as it has for the last year. “The Minuteman,” would have been an expensive, unnecessary surgery, since the cyst issue would not have been resolved and eliminated. For the first time, I feel like I’m on the way to recovery and made a good choice looking for another option.
Our poor, 15-year-old schnauzer Tally also feels the discomfort of arthritis, and I can clearly relate. When they took away the Advil a week prior to surgery, I could feel every aching joint in my body. Tally and I were on a similar path, and I wish we could help her more. Her one-year-old sister Fosse continues to be the Energizer Bunny and the envy of both of us. Tally also had an upset stomach this morning and ignored her treats, a rare occurrence. Finally, she ate enough grass to puke on our rug. Actually, it was a welcome sight to watch her then collapse in relief and eventually head to her bed, despite the cleanup. She’ll rest, like me, this afternoon. The next step for me is to have my lower back sutures taken out next week, as I really feel like I’m all stitched up and ready to scream, “I’m Back.”
Christmas Cheer
Twenty- Five years,
Of Christmas cheer.
So Happy Together.
With family near.
Megan on her way,
And Miranda soon.
It’s as big an event,
As the one every June.
Gifts for the kids,
And leg of lamb.
While the pups will expect,
A big bite of ham.
We got to four continents,
And my fiftieth, Maine.
But most of this year,
I’ve been in pain.
You’ve been very loving,
Always by my side.
You deserve gold,
But sadly denied.
Medical bills & auto repairs,
Have eaten our reserves.
While the fireplace and hurricanes,
Have thrown us curves.
A Limoges souvenir,
From our Majorca adventure.
Is all I can offer,
For your loyal indenture.
I’ve moaned and snored,
Hobbled and complained.
But you keep smiling,
Though patience strained.
For better or worse,
You took on a lot.
Your heart is much bigger,
Than the new parts I got.
Mike’s in there somewhere,
Not the stranger in your bed.
“I love you more.”
Is easily now said.
Hopefully the new year,
Will bring him back.
And you can once again,
Plan and pack.
