Category: RETIREMENT IS NOT WITHOUT HASSLES (Page 2 of 209)
My day-to-day retirement life
After the failed attempt of trying out the calf device to relieve my sciatica pain, I bought an inexpensive Sparthos back brace. It already seems to have helped, providing lumbar support when I sit and easing the discomfort when the dogs need to go out in the morning. I purchased it just in case today’s appointment with the pain management doctor gets cancelled again. An injection is supposed to generate immediate relief, so this brace is my back-up plan, after months of suffering. It’s taken over a month to finally see this doctor. I can only hope it’s not delayed further.
Once I finally get moving in the morning, the pain usually goes away until later in the evening if I don’t have proper back support. Watching TV on the couch seems to aggravate the nerve. It didn’t happen last night – thanks to this brace. I then keep my left leg stretched out when I sleep to minimize the morning stiffness, but still struggled a bit until I put on this brace. It did not relieve all of the pain but made walking bearable. I’m wearing it now while I write but will take it off to go to the fitness center later. I’m not supposed to wear it more than three hours at a time, and usually by mid-morning I won’t need it.
The pain has made me into a grumpy old man, reluctant to do much of anything. It’s even hard to focus on reading or watching TV. I did go to yesterday’s chair yoga class and continue to see the chiropractor. Audio books are a helpful distraction, especially when I’m walking on the treadmill. It’s the only exercise I’m allowed to do after prostrate surgery, as if I’m up to a strenuous workout with this sciatica issue. It definitely originates in my lower spine, shoots down my left leg, and feels like an Achillies injury. It can also take the form of a cramp in my calf. This is why I thought the pressure device might initially work – it had for others who recommended it. It only seemed to aggravate, so I traded it in for the back brace.
Rather than “The Gimp with a limp” (See Post # 2635), I was more like Quasimodo yesterday, all hunched over when I tried to walk. The pressure brace that I bought for my calf, designed to relieve sciatica, instead further irritated the nerve. It was like my legs locked up and I could only move with my hands on my knees, bent over like the “Hunchback of Notre Dame.” His team won yesterday, by the way, in a rout over Navy. Watching football was about all I could do most of yesterday afternoon. I had been to the fitness center in the morning as normal and managed to get in a 2-mile walk on the treadmill before this all happened. They were not related, but once I sat down, it was miserable trying to stand up straight and walk. I’ve already harped enough on how many times I need to visit the toilet, so it was a miserable afternoon despite the IU Football victory over Washington.
I feel better this morning, able to do a few simple tasks without any pain. On Wednesday is my scheduled appointment with the pain management doctor. Hopefully, he won’t cancel again! Just in case, after returning the leg brace, I went ahead and bought the lower back devise, desperately trying anything to get relief. Thanks for bearing with me as I spew all my frustrations out with these words. I’ll then be headed to the treadmill after my wife returns from the dog park.
I checked out the Xfinity streaming services this morning and found the SEC+ Network that will broadcast this afternoon’s IU basketball exhibition game with Tennessee. Like everything else these days, it wasn’t easy, but at least it was free! It’s football Sunday, so plenty to watch on TV, although the games we typically get here are not the ones I want to see. I could go down to the clubhouse where they have the NFL Network, but I’d rather stay home and suffer through the Red Zone broadcast. We’re attending a “Garden Party” tonight with those who share our small plot of vegetables and flowers. Hopefully, I can continue to stand tall today and save the Quasimodo look for Halloween.
It was in an April post, 6-months ago, when I first wrote about “The Gimp” in reference to my sciatica. See Post #2512. I continue to struggle with the pain in my left leg, particularly, in the early mornings when I let the dogs out. I hobble down the sidewalk, regretting that moment when I have to bend over to pick up the poop. My wife claims that I haven’t been proactive enough in getting treatment, despite an Ultrasound, MRI, numerous chiropractor sessions, ice, heat, two steroid treatments, and purchasing a brace that puts pressure on the nerve. She’s just as frustrated as I am, awaiting the services of a pain doctor that rudely rescheduled an appointment last week after a month of finally getting that appointment. What else can I possibly do?
She just left to take the dogs to the park, while I write this post. By the time they return, my leg pain will have dulled, and I will make my way to the resort fitness center. Walking on the treadmill, with the support of the side rails, is the only approved exercise I can do over the next month, following prostrate surgery. I’m anxious to get back in shape but there have been too many obstacles in the way. At least, I’m no longer in diapers but have yet to see any improvement in my bladder control. It’s just one more frustration in my life.
I’ll take the dogs for their monthly grooming while my wife does her aquafit class, hurrying back for the IU football game against Washington. Ironically, it was a former IU quarterback, Michael Penix, Jr. that led the Huskies to the National Championship game last year. It could be our turn this year, although the undefeated season still has a long way to go. Without our starting quarterback today, it will be an even tougher challenge to remain in the playoff picture.
Last night, the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman’s triple and walk-off grand slam to beat the Yankees in World Series game one was reminiscent of Kirk Gibson’s heroics back in 1988. Both limped triumphantly around the base path, despite their injuries. It once again reminded me of my morning sciatica struggles and Pulp Fiction’s “The Gimp.”
The numbers on my post somehow got out of line and so I spent several hours readjusting them. It’s just another indication that I’m getting old, right in line with too frequent mistaken directions and memory lapses. I’m now in the 2600 numbers rather than the incorrect 2500s, after starting this retirement blog at the end of 2016. My last day of work was December 30th of that year, so 2,853 days have passed. The goal was a post every day but, so far, I’ve missed 219 entries. I’ve definitely gotten a little lazier every year, but some of this is related to health issues and travel.
Categories like open-heart surgery, prostate issues, and sciatica were never even considered when this all started. The first mention of the word “sciatica” was in Post #2543 (June 14, 2024), having never run across the condition prior to this time. Now, it’s a daily problem. I did have concerns about an aneurism when this all started, but never envisioned open-heart surgery. I was also about half-way through what would turn out to be a 15-year running streak. I now worry about what monster is lurking behind the next unopened door and wonder which portal will unveil good fortune?
Travel and sports are still favorite subjects of mine, but sadly I haven’t felt much like writing humorous poetry. Pets have become a bigger part of my life, after taking on a feisty puppy. Baseball card collecting has kept me busy, but I need to find something more constructive to do with my spare time.
We continue to watch the Old Man series on Hulu, although I find it hard to believe his strength and resilience at that age. My job today is dusting, more in line with old man capabilities. Window washing is still beyond my skill level, so we’re bringing in the expert in a few weeks. Laundry continues to be my responsibility, with the exception of items that require ironing. Most of the lawn duties are handled by the HOA. It’s been 25-years since we’ve owned a lawnmower. Our pool guy is right down the street this morning, headed this way.
Another 2,000 plastic sleeves arrived in the mail yesterday, so I’ll be sorting baseball cards again today. I’m finished with my son’s boxes that I will keep here while he moves over to the Atlantic Coast temporarily. He’s renting his property here in our area, so this will give him an opportunity to rejoin his girls.
My wife has the day off from substitute teaching and will take our anxious pups to the park on their golf cart. I take them when she’s working, which has been four days a week of late. She also gets to go to her tap-dancing lesson while I hit the fitness center for a 2-mile walk on the treadmill. We’ll dine in again tonight and try to find something new to watch. Not much going on as I continue to recover from prostate surgery, at least my blog posts are no longer misnumbered.
“Diaperession” is what old men like me get when forced to wear diapers. It’s a humbling experience but not without a bit of humor. I made the “Baby Huey” reference in yesterday’s post (See # 2632) about my stylish gray Depends, hardly a fashion statement. I’ll try to be patient in the months ahead while recovering from prostate surgery. In my ways, I’m fortunate to have avoided cancer in each of these procedures this year.
I may need to add a TV to the bathroom and a toilet to my office chair. It would certainly save a lot of inconvenient trips down the hall. Right now, once an hour is the norm, but I did manage several two-to-three hour stretches overnight. It’s certainly an improvement from every five minutes that wore me out on Day 1. I’m supposed to drink lots of water, but the catch is that it accelerates the cycle.
I hope to get a little more sunshine today, but a dip in the pool could lead to infection, so I’m restricted to a comfortable chair. I’ve been very involved in two good books, “The Waiting” by Michael Connelly on my Kindle and the audiobook, “Persuader” by Lee Child. Both authors are favorites and have kept me distracted during this unpleasant time. The audiobook keeps me occupied while walking on the treadmill, the one form of exercise that is allowed for the next few weeks. I continue to struggle with the transition from running every day to finding new exercise outlets. A taped shoulder is an indication that I’ve yet to find a comfortable routine.
Walking is plagued by sciatica discomfort in my left leg that ranges from stubborn leg cramps to unbearable pain. I bought a stimulating device on Amazon from the manufacturer, BeActive+, that several friends have found effective. I was waiting for the appointment with a pain management doctor before doing anything, but they cancelled my appointment yesterday. I nearly cried out of frustration after already waiting more than three weeks to see him. The soonest they could get me in was another 9-days, so I’m desperate for relief. What it tells me is that there are many folks in this area battling pain – so I’m not alone.
This has been a constant battle since open-heart surgery in January, long before the very recent prostate procedure. Once I stopped running every day, my fitness level has suffered, and I battle weight gains. Every new routine that I’ve employed has been interrupted by discomfort, not that running was ever that enjoyable. However, a consistent exercise approach is important, and I’ve had to give up sit-ups and push-ups at the very foundation. It’s nagging leg pain, a sore foot, bicep strain, and surgeries that have constantly disrupted my active lifestyle, so no wonder I have “diaperession.”
My last post was anything but humorous, but I’m feeling better this afternoon, more soreness than pain. I had an inspector look over some of the minor storm damage, while still expecting the screen repairmen. It’s great to have a home that can withstand such powerful, turbulent winds. I’m reminded of the story of the “Big Bad Wolf,” instead it was Hurricane Milton who huffed and puffed, trying to blow our house down. Fortunately, it’s constructed of brick, concrete, and steel, not straw or sticks and other vulnerable materials. I’m honestly surprised when they put up a wood-framed structure in our area.
I’ve caught up on all the TV streaming series, now that we have power. This afternoon, I watched the 4th season, final episode, of Slow Horses on Apple, and last night it was Murders in the Building on Hulu. Tonight, should be the wrap-up of Bad Monkey, also on Apple. The new Bosch season starts soon on Netflix, one of the few channels that I currently don’t have access. Prime Video was just renewed, along with Max and Hulu, now part of the Disney Channel, who can live without that? I also have access to most of the sports channels, something my wife could live without, so I give her the Broadway Channel. Max may soon be traded for short-term Netflix renewal, trying to stay within some semblance of a budget.
I had a big outing last night in my neighbor’s Miata at Farlow’s, one of the few restaurants in nearby Englewood still functioning after the storm, knowing I would be fasting tonight, recovering from surgery over the weekend, and catching up on sleep after a 5:30a start. To add to the torture, I also scheduled flu and Covid shots. It will be a quiet weekend of sorting baseball cards, watching the MLB Playoffs, IU football, and the NFL. An Indy friend is also stopping by for a night. He was there for my vasectomy 40-years ago and just in time to wave goodbye to my prostrate. That’s what good friends are for! My wife is tired of all my moaning and groaning, so he can provide some comedic diversion. I’ll return the favor, as I did all those years ago, when he’s tired of making frequent bathroom trips. Too much information?
For fifteen consecutive years, without fail, I got up every single day and did a run without much complaint. Nowadays, I whine of pain and discomfort – not the same person. There is no more running, just limping while wishing I could turn back the clock. My wife is sick of it, insisting that I’m not being proactive enough in dealing with the doctors. They too, seem to ignore my pleas for relief.
My chiropractor is at least sympathetic, saying that I’m a good sport about it. With my pessimistic nature, I rarely hear that about myself anymore. He called my doctor, requesting an MRI of my lower spine, where the pain seems to originate, before it radiates through my left leg. Sometimes, it feels like a cramp in my thigh, while other times it can be debilitating. As the day goes on and it loosens with activity, the intensity diminishes, until I start to relax on the couch before bedtime. It’s been going on now since I stopped running, just before my open-heart surgery in mid-January. Ever since then, my body has resisted recovery by rendering my left leg stiff and useless.
The Ultrasound revealed no circulation problems, and the pelvic MRI showed arthritic deterioration in my lower spine, but the report suggested a second scan, as was initially recommended by the chiropractor. The doctor didn’t think so, consulted a neurologist, and they stubbornly proceeded with looking primarily at my pelvic area. Wrong – thinking like too many others that chiropractors are uneducated quacks!
The doctor did put me in a pain management program, but it’s been three additional weeks of pain, and I’ve yet to have gotten in to see him. The chiropractor’s steroid doctor, another futile side-step, provided some pills that gave only temporary relief, but didn’t solve the problem. So, I wait another week for my consultation, where he will probably suggest getting the second scan and I’ll have to struggle another two weeks waiting for insurance approval. I was simply trying to get that process moving forward before the consultation, but my doctor once again ignored me in favor of waiting for her man to see me. Easy for her to patiently recommend, while my pain persists!
My body is slowly falling apart, fulfilling the fear that this would happen if I stopped running. I have out-patient prostrate surgery tomorrow, a taped-up right shoulder from a bicep tendon strain, and an injury to my right heal from apparently overcompensating from the pain in my left leg. That leaves just my left arm that I’m typing with this morning. At least, I can express my frustrations though this blog. Thanks for listening, hopefully your hearing isn’t getting worse like mine!
It’s time to reflect on what all has happened this past week. Hurricane Milton has created lots of devastation in our area but has left behind two beautiful, calm, sunny days in its wake. To gaze up at the blue sky, you would think that nothing had happened but look across the street and down the block and the damage is obvious. Trees down or bent over, missing roof tiles, and lanai screens flapping in the wind are the norm. The neighbor across the street got an estimate of $4,000 for cage repairs. We were lucky to have escaped with minor problems. Is another storm on the way?
This is, of course, nothing compared to those who lost everything. Most of my neighbors can afford their losses, but I’m concerned, for example, about the family that owns the local baseball card shop. They just opened a second store in Sarasota and have significant roof damage to both locations. Hopefully, their inventory, that includes some of my collection, is safe. Fortunately, the anticipated flooding never happened, but water undoubtedly leaked into their properties from above. The windows were securely boarded-up, so it’s hard to tell what happened inside. They do intend to open today, but even a couple of missed sales days can cripple a small business like this. Most retail stores have been closed all week and many still don’t have power. I’m worried for them all!
Timing in life is everything! Our friend a few blocks down, just closed on their house two weeks ago, only to suffer some damage from this untimely storm. The card shop owners just celebrated a grand opening, that my wife and I attended, only to be welcomed with disaster. The eye hit landfall just 30 miles north of us in Sarasota, where I once owned property. I’m certainly glad I don’t today! I’ve been lucky in life, but others certainly haven’t!
We were without power for just 18-hours, most of that while we were sleeping, although a bit muggy and uncomfortable. Our house of steel, concrete, and high-impact glass can easily withstand the winds. It was quiet indoors until you opened the door to chaos. I can’t say that I’ve ever experienced winds so intense, able to rip the glasses off my face. During Hurricane Ian two years ago, we lost most of the food in our freezer, but we weren’t here when the power was out for days. I think the power surge also damaged the electronics in the refrigerator, that we just finally got properly repaired a few weeks ago. Milton, for some reason, did not play havoc with our electricity.
For us, everything is back to normal. We had “Date Night” at nearby Oak & Stone on Friday night. We then marveled over a History Channel special on the ancient city of Petra, a modern-day “Wonder of the World” that we toured a few years ago. I, of course, watched Saturday college football, while my wife spent time with our two pups, both of us relieved that we weren’t dealing with the hassles that others are facing in our immediate area. All in all, it’s been a normal, restful weekend full of reflection!
