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| Scotch and water, anyone? |
Several weeks ago, Mrs. J injured her back in a freak accident involving maggots and a city trash receptacle (but haven't we all?). We initially thought it was just a strain or sprain, but it wasn't. Rather, it was a compression fracture in one of her vertebra, which has severely limited the things she can do and her ability to get around (she can walk, but not for very long, and can't drive). Additional tests have shown other small fractures which previously hadn't been a problem, and osteoporosis.
She's forced to wear a championship wrestling-style belt/brace, she started physical therapy today, and she'll be having multiple sessions weekly. Other treatment options will depend on what we learn. There will also be multiple doctor visits, scans, tests, and other mischief related to all of this... and, being old farts, we were already doing frequent doctor visits as a form of geriatric recreation.
We're doing fine, but I'm going to be doing a lot of driving, minor caregiving ("peel me a grape!"), and attending to chores that Mrs. J handles when not infirm. And trust me, that's pretty much everything around here! Even with Daughter J's help, we're hard put to keep up!
But of course, that's not ALL that's going on. Covid-19 is still rolling across the nation and doing more damage than is generally recognized. That would be an important topic to talk about, but due to the politics and misinformation, no one really seems open to ideas or new, genuinely scientific information. And without a smart consensus, this plague is a long way from over. Frankly, it's tiring to try to ignore this huge story and find other topics to write about.
Although there are plenty! It's just that they're all depressing as Hell. Seriously, I frequently feel like I'm an older, uglier Charlton Heston and my spacecraft has somehow managed to trap me on the Planet of the Assholes. Preposterously biased "news" reports, Trump's tweets, riots in the streets, a collapsing economy (currently held aloft with imaginary money from the Fed), the unending perfidy of Democrats (between Nadler interrogating Barr and Obama turning John Lewis's funeral into a political rally, I can't even LOOK at these SOB's lately), cancel culture, racial animosity, social media tycoons digitally erasing freedom of speech, a nationwide attack on police officers, etc, etc.
Depending on how ALL the events in my life are going on any given day, these things could quickly and effectively be turned into prickly humor...or they could suck the life out of me for hours as I try to do enough clumsy self-surgery to find my funny bone. I can't really do that and still attend to my most important priorities, so I'm working on finding the best balance.
WHAT'S GOING TO ACTUALLY CHANGE HERE? Probably very little! I'm still as snarky as ever, the world is certainly as crazy as ever, and I really enjoy our interactions here. But for awhile, I'm going to occasionally post things along the lines of "sorry, I can't play today," and I don't want that to take anyone by surprise. I'm not going anywhere - I'm just stretched a bit thin for awhile.
Of course, the best way to know for sure when there's tasty new content on the page is to be signed up on my spam-free mailing list!
BONUS: RED SKIES AT NIGHT...
Just to say "thank you" for reading this far, here's a lovely sunset I spied from the back yard last night. Idyllic, except for the skeeters, sweltering heat, and the mine field of dog poops...
Stilt, that's what my late Dad always called a "dramatic sky"... Great way to end the week!
ReplyDeleteBummer on the back problems. Hope the therapy works great for MS. J.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for Mrs. J's improved health. We need your snark!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to learn this about Mrs J! Best wishes and a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteBring back the snark!
Best wishes Mrs. J.
ReplyDeleteHoping for a speedy recovery.
Had my own scare/s this Summer. S.O. had a pancreatitis attack, gallbladder surgery then a week later a near fatal pulmonary embolism with many embolisms in his lungs from 2 DVTs.
Cannot wait for November 4th when this covid crap is over. Then we will be on to the next impeachment scam.
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Mrs. J!
ReplyDeleteHere's a chuckle for y'all. I found an accurate two sentence summation of the issue with police cameras and Antifa/BLM:
COPS NEED CAMERAS TO RECORD MISCONDUCT!!
WAIT, NOT OUR MISCONDUCT!!
So-so-soooooooo sorry to hear of mrs. J's back problem. BEAUTIFUL sunset picture. BEAUTIFUL !
ReplyDeleteDamn, poor Mrs. J! I feel her pain though, found out I'm dealing with Osteoporosis too, getting old's a bitch. Warn her if she decides to go the meds route there can be some nasty side effects. I was put on the once a week one (can't remember the name) and it made my ankles swell worse that usual for the summer heat and I couldn't stand the pressure of my sheets on them at night. The pain was amazing and it came with heat, and it was only there! Once I quit taking it all the symptoms went away, of course, thankfully. Hopefully she can tolerate it and her bones will get stronger. And please be careful guys, we really like you and worry about you!
ReplyDeleteStay mental SJ, I pray for your wife (and you) as well.
ReplyDeleteHealing prayers to Mrs. J and Calming prayers for your stress, because it’s not good for you! All this crap will still be going on, so you’ll have plenty to write about when you get the chance. We couldn’t get through the week without you STILT!
ReplyDeleteOh good grief! Mrs. J, I wish you all the best. it's not going to be a pleasant journey, but it's one you CAN travel. Just try not to kill Stilt along the way!
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about Mrs J. Wishing you both the fortitude and good cheer to work through the healing process. Hope she is mended soon.
ReplyDeletePrayers for you and the Misses
ReplyDeleteGeriatric recreation. Indeed sometimes that's what it seems like. Commiseration for your spouse's back problems. Wife unit here has had lower back issues as well and of she's feeling miserable, then....
ReplyDeleteA note about scotches. Back in the day, perhaps because the brand was aggressively promoted, Chivas Regal was the scotch to have. Now, I can't recall the last time I saw a bottle of the stuff.
Like my Dad said years ago and I can attest to now if it wasn't for going to the doctors all the time we would have no social life at all.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for Mrs. J's recovery.
ReplyDeleteTrue, getting old is a pain in the (fill in specific malady here). "When Life gives you lemons, cut down the damn lemon tree."
Old age isn’t for sissies.
ReplyDeleteVery best wishes for a speedy and successful recovery.
Best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment above; be careful picking osteoporosis medicines. Some have bad long term side effects
GIPSEY
Best wishes to Ms. J, keep your chin up while doing all those extra things to assist, Stilt. Getting old isn't for sissies, and it is a pain in a lot of places besides the butt. We are fortunate (and very grateful) to be living in the boonies, in a conservative county and still relatively healthy (I could use a new knee, but I'll just limp along.) All this bullshit that the dhimmicrats are stirring up is annoying as hell but not directly impacting us. Yet. I fear that inflation will be the next crisis to come along. The dhimmicrats will do ANYTHING to destroy the middle class and render us all into serfs, keeping Pelousi's $20K freezer stocked with $98 per gallon ice cream.
ReplyDeleteStay strong and determined. Be resilient. Remember, alcohol IS a solution.
Sorry to hear of your wife's back trouble - I hope she finds permanent relief from that soon. Some years back, doing stupid 'Man Trick' (lifting heavy a$$ lawn mower alone), I had a couple of months of Sciata attacks on my right hip. Ye Gods but that WILL wake you up in the morning. Took this over the counter Mexican topical called Voltaren - it is recently in TV commercials. It was good stuff and if they didn't tinker with the forumula, is worth a try. Just rubbed on in target area.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
So very sorry for Mrs. J's back problems. Many of us know exactly how she is feeling. Well, more or less considering the fact that she is going to feel helpless to do all the things she would normally be doing while watching those things get done much less to her satisfaction and standards. Hope she can just breathe deeply and let things go for her own sanity. Blessings of healing and patience.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for as rapid a recovery as possible to Mrs. J. I've had back problems since I was 21, and it's a daily grind to have to watch how I move and what I lift. My prayers are for her and for you, Stilt. If it's any consolation, Stilton's Place has taken much of life's load off my shoulders. Much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteDear wife has been down for two to four weeks with surgery and joint replacement in the last couple of years, I've had to be Mr. Mom during that time which involved a bunch of work. We have two inside cats, two dogs, several barn cats, etc. The ladies of the house are underappreciated. Hope she does well with therapy.
ReplyDeleteAs far as depressing news we completely stopped watching news. Same story every day dramatically reported. No thanks.
Sorry for your troubles, Stilt. My prayers are with you and Mrs. J
ReplyDelete(BTW, it is hard to see the images that check for robots.)
Happy you folks chose to brave the COVID hysteria to see medical treatment, Cuz - and even happier that it is a treatable concern. I'll add Mrs. J to the lengthy prayer list I carry around with me each day.
ReplyDeleteIn a similar situation, my wife's "ulcer" in March finally resolved into stage IV pancreatic cancer in late April when the pain got bad enough to motivate her to seek medical treatment despite all the hysterical calls to "Stay at home! Avoid doctors offices! Avoid hospitals! Everyone is at risk! The Medical system is in collapse!"". Now, we've spent more time with medical professionals and in medical facilities than we ever thought possible. They require she get COVID tested every two weeks and, guess what: even with all of that exposure, in the alleged hotspot under Der Fuehrer Whitmer, negative each time. Go figure. All the hysteria is, apparently, just that.
And thank goodness I'm still employed and have decent insurance. Under Øbama"care", I'm sure we'd be bankrupt by now, and my SO would be dead. She'll have another CAT scan next week which we hope and pray will reveal good news; however pancreatic cancer is a known killer - particularly since it is typically already stage IV before it generates any concerning symptoms. And, with that, the COVID bullshit wouldn't have changed the condition - it was likely "brewing", as one of her doctors characterized it, for over a year - but she would have sought relief at least a month earlier had they not been playing this obviously-political game, and we just don't know what a treatment a month earlier - likely two months earlier, since the closure of surgery centers was part and parcel of this charade, delaying her start of her chemotherapy - would have had on her outcomes.
Regarding the other "prong" of the current assault upon our republic, I've read several pieces arguing that the havoc being wreaked in the democrat cities are the death rattle of the movement as opposed to any "socialist revolution". One very cogent piece indicated that the fuel needed for the revolutionary grassfire that ignited socialism in pretty much every case where it came about is missing here, and that the party pushing the "revolution" along already controls the institutions they're railing against. Here's a piece on PJ Media to that effect.) Still, I think the intent here is less fomenting a socialist revolution as it is fomenting the environment in which they can harvest anti-Trump/anti-GOP sentiment in time for them to sweep in and save us all come November. Unfortunately for them, their monster has circled around and is destroying the Frankenstein cancel, too...
Sincere empathy for the back problems. I've been fighting them for over 40 years, and they are nagging if not occasionally debilitating. Best wishes for you and the missus.
ReplyDelete@Fish- I work part time in a liquor store. I can assure that my dear old Dad's favorite scotch is still around.
I grudgingly wear the damn face diapers when a store requires it, but I'll be damned if I will comply with the next Simon Says stinking pile of feces that Birx has floated, wearing a damn plastic face shield or goggles.
Sorry about your your wife, and we pray for a speedy recovery for Mrs. J.
ReplyDeleteI really look for to your postings which are witty, honest, and truthful.
Thanks for what you do to bring joy and laughter in these trying times.
We’ll add you and your wife to prayer list. My wife has gone through the back trauma and I know it’s hard on everyone. Stay strong my friend. You are a light to my mornings 3 days a week.
ReplyDeleteWe’ll add you and your wife to prayer list. My wife has gone through the back trauma and I know it’s hard on everyone. Stay strong my friend. You are a light to my mornings 3 days a week.
ReplyDeleteMy sincere sympathy and empathy for the Missus. I used to think I'd die still running in the afternoons or chopping firewood, but I now ( age 78) know that the plan is that I'm to die a piece at a time. "Golden Years," my gluteus. But a wonderful partner makes things wonderful... I see the wisdom in the traditional "... to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy law, and this is my solemn vow."
ReplyDeleteGood on you, our friend.
Take all the time you need Stilt. Thanks for your efforts to keep smiles on our faces, especially during these times when the solution to all the various crises seems like removal to another planet! Best wishes for your wife's recovery.
ReplyDeleteFunerals to campaign rallies: A trend the Democrats started a decade or so ago. Sad to think of John Lewis looking down and just now realizing that when all was said and done, he was just another Democrat tool.
ReplyDeleteI'd suggest tuning out of the media for awhile. It will make you feel better. Really.
And of course, my prayers are with you and Mrs. J. You are blessed to have each other in your lives.
Planet of the Assholes! Hahahahaha!
ReplyDeleteYou made my day with that one.
Good luck to the missus, and don't worry about us. We will still be here licking our chops In anticipation.
Stilton, Our prayers go to your good wife and to your family. Stay Safe and Stay Well
ReplyDeleteWell, said, Alej - getting old ain't for the weak.
ReplyDeleteGet well soon Mrs. J... we are all praying and pulling for you. will be watching for new posts as they arrive. Take care, and be safe..!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo.
ReplyDeletePrayers for a quick recovery for your wife.
I'll miss your frequent wit and writing style. You have a most enjoyable forum. Thank you from so many.
We are all keeping you in our prayers and hoping for a speedy recovery.
ReplyDeleteStilt,
ReplyDeleteMighty sorry to hear of your tribulations, and I sincerely hope that Mrs, J heals up soon. My wife had an unfortunate episode last year with a fall in our local trampoline park, which triggered a series of agonizing events with her spine & pain in her leg.
[No, she wasn't bouncing; she was trying to wrangle grandcritters, and the little one got away from her. Sigh.]
After lotsa meds & lotsa torment, she elected for surgery, which was successful.
Keep on keeping on,
-Art-
Back Malady Survivor here. I can feel Mrs. J's pain, almost literally. Best wishes from a life-long cheese-head for a speedy recovery. I wounded my back when I was 18 y.o., over 5 decades ago and I'm here to say, from experience, that with proper therapy and self-care, a mostly painless life is possible. Likely, even. Avoid back surgery, if at all possible; it may solve one problem but often causes other problems. Don't get down on yourselves. Proper attitude, in any number of senses, is critical.
ReplyDeleteI don't leave comments very often, Mr.Stilton, but I am so sorry to hear of the problems you and your Missus are dealing with.
ReplyDeleteYou echo my sentiments regarding the state of your nation (I am Canadian) but we share many of the same problems of course.
Take care of the woman who keeps you going. That is the top priority. There is nothing worse than back... er... I won't challenge fate by completing that statement.
There is nothing much we can do about what is going on outside our windows these days. Use this as an opportunity to simply take a much needed break! It will all be here when you return. It ain't goin' nowhere and November still looms large on the horizon.
While I am at it, thanks for being a curmudgeon with wit and skill! You (and by the laws of family) contribute so much to so many of us. Your sick wit is so very appreciated. BUT... we can get along without it for now knowing you are doing the best for you and yours. That woman is your rock.
Much love from Vancouver Island.
So relate to your woes.. We are right there with you..
ReplyDeleteFirst things first.
Family .. take care and hoping and praying for all of you.
Best regards
thom davis ( Limpin'frog )
First, Stilt, we appreciate you not going for the 'Baby Got Back Problems' meme.
ReplyDeleteSeriously Mrs. J, we sympathize with you in your pain and hope it can be remediated soon.
Finally Stilton, we sympathize with you in your pain, having no one to make you a sammich.
Best to Mrs. J. She'll need you to lean on.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear about the wife. Mine did something similar years ago, and still is limited in walking distances, etc.
ReplyDeleteHope your wife has a better outcome.
.
NSF
Best wishes for Mrs. J.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the cheerleading of Obama at a funeral, it immediately brought to mind the pep rally at the memorial for Sen. Paul Wellstone.
But, to paraphrase Rahm the Vulgarian, Never let a good funeral go to waste.
ReplyDeleteI add to the wishes and prayers for Mrs J to have a seedy and fool recovery. Uh, I mean speedy and full recovery. May you and daughter J hang in there and handle the experience well.
On the bright side, hanging out in the waiting room while Mrs J is in PT or whatever, you should find great fodder for future blog posts.
And yes, doc appts are about the only social life I have.
Mrs Dan gets to have a lot of quiet, personal time since she winds up waiting in the car while I'm enjoying the application of the various medical arts.
So sorry to hear about Mrs J’s back problems -been there, done that, bought the tee shirt (and the back brace!)
ReplyDeleteThat said, here’s your thought for the day ~ If you own an electric car, make sure you have a current license.
@Bobo: Shocking. Positively shocking.
ReplyDelete@Bobo the Hobo, @M. Mitchell Marmel: I see it's Punday morning, guys...
ReplyDelete@Readers- Wow, thanks for the outpouring of support! It's all very much appreciated. And my heart goes out to everyone who is facing their own health challenges right now. It seems that this blog speaks to a certain demographic, and we all happen to be at the age where we're out of warranty.
ReplyDeleteLet me clarify that I'm NOT leaving or going anywhere! I'm just laying the groundwork for a few days off here and there when scheduling gets tight. And I should also make clear that Mrs. J's condition is challenging but not dire. She's in good spirits, other than getting really sick of watching TV.
I should also make clear that I wasn't trying to make an emotional or symbolic statement by posting a picture of a sunset. Rather, I posted it because it was a pretty sunset (and the picture I was working on to put in that spot didn't really pan out). I'm not riding into any sunsets just yet!
Your kindness, well wishes, and prayers mean a lot to me and my family. As do your jokes! I'm a lucky guy to have such a community of friends.
My sympathy to Mrs. J! Thank you for all you do here and I applaud your ability to maintain your humor under such circumstances. I also want you to know that I recently finished both of your Johnny Optimism books on Kindle - read both in only two sittings each! - and made sure to leave a five-star Amazon review for both!
ReplyDelete@Stilton, " It seems that this blog speaks to a certain demographic, and we all happen to be at the age where we're out of warranty."
ReplyDeleteIt's even worse - parts are no longer available...
Sunsets like that are God saying, "Don't worry, I'm still here".
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking a picture of that gorgeous sunset and sharing it with the rest of us. The world can be such a beautiful place. There's no hate or crazy politics in that sunset, just tranquility and peace. [And none of the clouds look like like Nancy Pelosi, the rioters, or any of the rest of those morons.] :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Best wishes to Mrs. J. Hope she has a good recovery and feels better soon. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
ReplyDeleteGreat Cartoon by your dad. Was he published? His style is familiar.
ReplyDelete