So far, I have had no urge to dig in the dirt. I did get out one day and puttered around trying to rid the landscaped area of raspberry brush. Once that stuff gets started, it grows fast and gets into everything. I snipped and pulled and got rid of most of it but will have to keep my eye on things and keep trimming.
I have given up on the blackberry brush. On a wet year, those berries taste mighty good, but at this point they are quickly creeping into my lawn far more than I would like, so it is time for them to go. But how? Haven’t figured that out yet. While I could handle the small amount of raspberry brush, the blackberry is a much larger problem, and the thorns are more serious to handle. Leather gloves won’t do it — would need a suit of leather, I am thinking.
My eagerness on doing yard work is also seriously limited by the pain and weakness in my arms and shoulders. I went from being able to handle the everyday chores of daily living to suddenly not being able to. Getting milk in and out of the refrigerator is a problem, as is getting dishes in and out of the cupboard.
Pulling shirts on and off overhead can also be painful. Folding laundry, sewing a quilt, at times even holding a newspaper is a trigger for pain. It is getting to the point when combing my hair is getting difficult.
This all began in early March, and I could think of no reason for the onset. First, I had a series of chiropractor appointments, which seemed to help at first, but then no longer did. Then I saw the doctor, took a prescription of prednisone, which did not help. I also had tests, which came back normal.
Physical therapy came next; again, no real sign of easing, or help. As the days and weeks went by, I began to notice it was worse when I first got up in the morning. Some nights I couldn’t even get comfortable and sleep in my bed. My brain triggered to the point of fact that I got a new mattress, total different type and style than I had before, in mid-February.
It is hard to prove that is my problem, but it sure is a suspect. I decided to purchase a mattress of the same type and style I had previously, a Select Comfort. At the time I am writing this it has not arrived yet, but will be here before you read this.
I am hoping a few nights on the new mattress will help the pain to a certain point, however, my doctor cautioned that I now have tissue damage, tendinitis for sure, and who knows what else. Of course, my right shoulder has a torn rotator cuff, and now my left is suspect for the same.
So once again, my life is a journey, and I don’t know where it will end. Right now, I am grateful for a loving family, who comes to my aid when I ask. For now, I am hoping that, within the next month or so, things will begin to ease up, and I can have the fun of digging in the dirt once again.
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