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Recovery Week 3-1/2
January 31 I dictated to Word: Even dictating A blog post has been difficult. After I dictate I must go back to edit and correct. Since I am confined to this sling my right hand is basically useless. Reaching out to the computer mouse is out of the question.
The healing is going well but I forgot how slow it could be.
9 days with no sun says our weather man. However, Buffalo gets less sun than we do!
24-2-6 I am into the fourth week in sling. This is very difficult. When I take the sling off I find myself using my hand in ways that cause pain. Likely I should just keep it in the sling! There is a cacophony of moans and groans that accompany my life right now. I’m only taking Tylenol, no pain prescription, but yes shoulder pain is my companion.
Physical therapist says I am doing really well. I persevere with the prescribed stretches every few hours.
I am finally sleeping in my own bed instead of the recliner. For the first two weeks I used the electric ice machine pretty much continually. Now I only use ice packs as needed when the pain flares.
I am so grateful for good books that hold my attention and keep me in the chair. I suppose I should have kept a list of what I have been reading. Oh well, let’s see, Louise Penney Kingdom of the blind, Joe Pickett I think the author is Box. Then a story about an animal entitled Now and Then. Read Jack Reacher book that was made into a movie. Partway through the book I realized I’d already read it but I continued because I could not remember the details. My neighbor Ginny brought me Crimson Phoenix which is the first in a series of three. I am now on book 2 which I got free from the library on hoopla.
Perhaps the most helpful has been a book by Elizabeth Elliott about suffering. I bought it several years ago but never started reading it. It really hits home right now.
Jigsaw puzzles have also held my attention though placing pieces with left hand is a challenge. As is eating with left hand!
I also began a new medication for the psoriasis. It is a biologic which they say lowers my immune system so whenever Bob takes me out in public I’m trying to wear a mask so I don’t pick up anything else. Physical therapist agrees this is a good idea. Though I was immunized, if I should contract the flu, vomiting would not be good with this shoulder recovering.
The Lord continues to uphold me and I am greatly encouraged every time I go back to Philippians 4 and think on such things that strengthen me. We finally have a return to sunshine and milder temperatures in the low 50s. Daffodil leaves began emerging in January and continue to get taller! Indoors, the amaryllis has been opening flower after flower and that cheers me immensely!
May you be blessed with an increase awareness of His presence within and about you!
Post-Op!
So this is the first post I’ve tried to write or rather dictate sense shoulder surgery. It will be quite a while before I can type again. I have to wear the sling for at least five more weeks. Surgery went well, thank you for your prayers. Bob and I could still use prayers as we navigate the ups and downs of having him do everything to run the house and me being not so helpful with just one hand. The weather here has been winter brutal and walking the dog four times a day has zapped his patience and taken a lot of his joy away. So pray for us as we continue to navigate this path to recovery
The doctor found not one partial tear but two partial tears in the rotator cuff one was vertical and one was horizontal. He repaired both of those. One side of the biceps muscle was disconnected from the bone and it will stay that way. He said that’s why it’s called the biceps; my arm will use the other part, the one that’s still attached. I have been able to reduce the pain medication by half. Physical therapy has begun and I do the stretches twice a day at home. As long as my shoulder does not freeze up I can attend physical therapy just once a week. If it freezes I’ll have to begin twice a week. All in all things are looking up.
Sadly, my recliner only has controls on the outside of the right armrest. That means to adjust the chair I have to reach all the way over and under my right arm and down on the outside of the chair to try to find the right button. I think electric recliners need to be required to have adjustments buttons on both sides. Just an observation. Trust me if I ever replace this chair, I’ll be sure to shop for one with buttons on both sides preferably inside the armrest.
Friends and neighbors have brought us gallons of soups. Some of the soup is now in the freezer as we could not possibly eat all of that before it would spoil. Delicious stuff! There have been 3 flower bouquets and a get well soon balloon. We are grateful for each of them. I pray that winter has not been too brutal where you are. Regardless of the caterpillars or the Groundhog predictions winter it is. I will say the moon was very bright on the snow at midnight.
Thank you for reading the blog even in my absence. This post is likely full of typos. I receive an e-mail notification every time someone reads it and it cheers me. Blessings, Molly D
Whatever is True, Noble, Right …
January 4 I put out a challenge to try to practice and live Philippians 4 (see https://wordpress.com/post/treasures-in-plain-sight.org/15463)
In reviewing the Scripture, Philippians 4:4-9 I realized I was missing a step. I was basically reviewing, reciting the true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, anything of excellence or praiseworthy. I was not actually taking the time to Slow Down and think of one thing for each attribute.
From my past experience with chronic illness and recovery from surgery I know that this relinquishing of independence and self-reliance also requires facing all of life with a slower pace. That is not always a bad thing. I was startled to realize before surgery that I was glossing over the importance of the admonishment of Philippians 4:8 by not actually pausing to think of something that is true, something that is noble, something that is right, etc. We are told to THINK on these things. Reciting the Scripture is checking off a to-do box. Actually thinking about such things takes us to a different place.
I have learned a couple of things this week. If you are going to the internist for a pre-op physical do not take the forms with you to fill out asking a drug company for financial assistance to afford their product. That can send your blood pressure really high! Leave the forms at home for later. My internist said to think happy, pleasant thoughts before that blood pressure cuff is pumped up! They took it again and I brought the top reading down about 25 points.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding,” even applies when you need financial help and your blood pressure is too high. Stop. Pause. Breath. Trust.
Several years ago I asked Bob for some tiny diamond earrings to wear all of the time. He delighted to purchase them for me. Not extremely expensive, but they did not have screw on backs. Sure enough I eventually caught one in my hair or in a winter scarf and flipped it off unnoticed. By the time I discovered it was missing, it was long gone. We took the remaining single tiny diamond and asked a jeweler to put in our engagement ring that Bob had made from a high grade stainless steel pipe. Eventually we bought another pair of earrings. Well, you guessed it, I lost one again. I was so disgusted with myself I just said, “Okay. No more.” I ordered cubic zirconia tiny earrings and paid for them myself. Done.
Wikipedia says: “Because of its low cost, durability, and close visual likeness to diamond, synthetic cubic zirconia has remained the most gemologically and economically important competitor for diamonds since commercial production began in 1976.” Most people cannot tell the difference and the synthetic has taken pressure off the diamond market.
Lost. Fine. Replaced with something else. Not quite! I opened the dryer a few weeks later and lying on the inside edge, near but not in the lint filter, was a tiny diamond earring. WHAT?!?! Surprised and stupefied with joy I went to check my ear lobes in the mirror. Sure enough the Zirconia ones were still there. The single diamond was still in the dish. The lost was found! Assuming the LORD did that, I was dumbfounded. The Holy One did not have to return that to me. Astonished with joy. Brain rattled trying to grip the reality. Even Bob was amazed.
No Promises But Lots of Guidance
Did you become a Christian thinking that your life would now become easier? Had you heard promises from the Bible and thought pledging allegiance to the Lord would bring all those promises to you immediately? Down the road a few years were you disillusioned and weakened in your faith when the things you hoped for did not come true?
I try to remind myself that we are never promised anything, and that what control we can exert is not over the events that befall us but how we address ourselves to them.
Jeanne Duprau
Welcome to Humanity 101. We are told to give our lives to Jesus and He will exchange them for something greater. The something greater rarely means material things.
To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.
Isaiah 61:3
How do you control your thoughts, your behaviors, your emotions?
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.
Proverbs 25:28 RSV
Self-control is mentioned many times in the Bible. It is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit alive and active in our lives. We are taught in the New Testament to walk in the Spirit and put to death the things of the flesh. We are to long for the fruit of the Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:22-24 RSV
The most difficult thing to control is myself and my response to events in life. The only thing I can possibly hope to control is myself and my reactions. We have mistakenly thought that we need to control others, but not so, my friend, not so!
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.
2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV
Yes, God has given us promises, but we need to read those promises carefully and ask for wisdom regarding them lest we misunderstand and go bumbling about accusing God of being untrue or unfaithful to His word.
Self-control is the best answer to most of my troubles. How about yours?
Things We Say
At times I come across colloquial sayings I am totally unfamiliar with. I read the saying “Hell in spectacles” from No Country for Old Men by Cormack. I started the book when they announced he had died. I was unfamiliar with him as an author, so I got the book from the library. Shortly after starting it, I closed the book as it was too violent for me.
Were there sayings popular in your family?
Grandgirl Ellie said “Dojo” so much as a baby that her Dad began calling her DoJo.
“Falingos”, said Grandgirl Lizzie. She wanted to see flamingos.
Grandson Rowan asked if I wanted to play “Paarates.” Pirates.
I often say, “Earth to Molly, come in please. Ooh! No body home.” I can be such a space cadet.
“Little Molly make a mess!” No blame no shame, just clean it up.
My mother-in-law often said, “Fudge.” And at other times she reiterated, “Pussywillow.”
My best friend’s family would exclaim, “Crime in Itly!”
A New York City waiter told me, “Whaddaryagonnado?”
Another day same waiter said I should just “Fergedaboudit.”
How about at your house or among your friends?
To one friend I would exclaim, “Lord, have mercy!” His reply was “He already has.” His amused voice still rings in my ears 🙂
As a child Jeff asked me to buy “Woobea.” Finally figured out he meant Root Beer.
Emily liked to hear the “amblience” and watch the “ephelants.”
Beat around the bush, close but no cigar, shoot from the hip, a dime a dozen, that and a dime will get you a cup of coffee, in a nutshell, cain’t complain, yep, they go on and on!
One friend says, “Might oughta.” I always have to think about that as it was not a saying in my ‘neck of the woods.”
Enjoy the language and try not to fracture it too badly!/i
This Morning, Monday 1/8/24
For several days this has come on the local radio station and then just rolled about in my soul. Undoubtedly “His word is unfailing, His promise secure!” Such GREAT harmony from these three men! So wish I could memorize the Spanish, “Todo es va estar bien.” I know some of those words from high school Spanish.
This song was popular about 3 years ago. It is still fitting today. Especially as I face shoulder surgery this week. Aunt Norma (now deceased and my mother also deceased) used to sing “He’s got the whole world in His hands” to us when we were very young. I do not know if Aunt Norma ever went to church, but my mother, the child of a Methodist preacher, and Norma instilled this faith in us through their faith. Did someone sing it to you or with you when you were a child?
Regardless of the outcome of surgery the following will remain the song of my soul.
It never ceases to amaze me how the Holy Spirit can give us direction and comfort especially in uncertain circumstances. He is with us and in us.
On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
Said Jesus recorded in John 14:20 NIV
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me….”
Jesus prayed recorded in John 17:20-21 NIV
Everything will be all right. The whole world’s in His hands. He is my all in all.
Paul said, “In him we live and move and have our being”; as even some of your poets have said, ‘For we are indeed His offspring.”
Acts 17:28 RSV
It bears repeating Everything will be all right. The whole world’s in His hands. He is my all in all.
Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Philippians 4: 6 RSV
I Am on the Schedule!!
Surgery on my right shoulder is planned for next Thursday, January 11! Partial tear of rotator cuff, remove bone spurs, check biceps attachment. When I woke up at 4AM in pain this morning I was more than ready to take the surgery. Procedure will be arthroscopically, i.e., tiny incisions where tools and camera go in and surgeon makes repairs through them.
Ever since I got the news I have been working like crazy to get ready. Got my hair cut 5 inches so Bob does not have as much to wash or brush. See, I will be a sling for quite a while and not much use as to my typical duties. I am so grateful he is here to help me!
Pre-op physical is next Monday. I have had to change all my prescriptions to a new pharmacy due to insurance changes. Have them all filled and in the building. Boxes for breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime are filled for 3 weeks worth! Imagine trying to open a pill bottle with one hand, especially your non-dominant hand.
My neighbor was very generous to loan me her ice machine. Nifty machine that holds iced water which it pumps through tubes into a pad that cools the surgery area.
I had this surgery 20 years ago and for the life of me cannot remember how I got dressed! The surgery will be outpatient at Ortho Cincy surgical center. I will go home with an abduction sling. Have not tried it on yet. They will put it on me after surgery. Bob will be my driver and care giver.
The recliner will be my sleeping location as lying down and getting up out of the bed will be something I have to progress towards. I will not be able to clean up my sleeping area (think sheet and blankets with assorted pillows). The guilt is already building. I am married to “Mr. Tidy” and I try to do my part to keep the common areas of the house tidy. My desk? That is another matter.
How does one prepare to be helpless and passive with a smile? Hard to be jolly about that kind of surrender. Yet I am going to try! “What ever is good, pure, lovely, worthy of praise, etc”
So yes, I would appreciate your prayers. All this weird positioning is never good for the arthritis and fibromyalgia. Imagine me with ice machine on my shoulder and heating pad behind my back! Woohoo, such a sight. No photos will follow…I might try dictating a post when I get off pain meds. Likely too hard to type for a while. I will have so much time to think up ideas for this blog!!
Today we listed all the frozen foods in our deep freeze. Made 2 large chicken pot pies with Pillsbury crusts. We have many frozen soups, meat sealed with gravy or broth, etc. Green chicken chili, black beans,etc, Mom’s vegetable soup recipe. Not to mention frozen pizza for Bob and the foods friends will drop off.
Minimum weeks in a sling, months in physical therapy. I will need gallons of patience and I find that ice cream cannot provide that. Drats! I will have Bob post for me after surgery. I am certain it will go well. Trusting the Father and rejoicing that I will have this repair.
Godspell
This was a musical in 1971. Wiki[edia reports, “The show is structured as a series of parables, primarily based on the Gospel of Matthew, interspersed with music mostly set to lyrics from traditional hymns, with the passion of Christ appearing briefly near the end.”
These lyrics have been rolling in my head for a couple weeks. Naturally that leads to a blog post!
Where are you going?
Where are you going?
Can you take me with you?
For my hand is cold
And needs warmth
Where are you going?
Far beyond where the horizon lies
Where the horizon lies
And the land sinks into mellow blueness
Oh please, take me with you
Let me skip the road with you
I can dare myself
I can dare myself
I'll put a pebble in my shoe
And watch me walk (watch me walk)
I can walk and walk!
(I can walk!)
I shall call the pebble Dare
I shall call the pebble Dare
We will talk, we will talk together
We will talk (chorus) about walking
Dare shall be carried
And when we both have had enough
I will take him from my shoe, singing:
"Meet your new road!"
Then I'll take your hand
Finally glad
Finally glad
That you are here
By my side
By my side
By my side
By my side
So what of it? Well, they remind me to remember the LORD regardless of life circumstances. At times I am the pebble Dare, and at other times I need the challenge to remember We walk together.
Hard to ignore a pebble in your shoe. I am more likely to have a pebble in my pocket. Or a large wooden bead. Or something to bring my attention back to Him. I challenge you to carry something as a reminder throughout your day to turn again to Christ and walk together.
iPhone
I wrote a post in 2023 called “iPhone into the Sky” with my poem entitled Afternoon Grandeur. You can click this link to read that post. https://wordpress.com/post/treasures-in-plain-sight.org/14572
My Grandgirl had an iPhone into the sky moment over the Christmas holidays. She and her boyfriend were on the roller coaster at the Kings Island amusement park. Her parents had just purchased a new iPhone for her through their cellular plan. She had it in the pocket of her sweatpants. As the ride hit a turn, her iPhone became the iPhone in the sky and not having airborne abilities it went flying away in the dark. You probably guessed it. Her parents had not bought insurance for the phone as ‘she never loses anything.’ Ouch. An eighteen year old with a huge problem.
They tried to find the phone, to no avail. They used a tracking program and it was reported to be at a certain location near some trees. The staff could not find it. Meanwhile some of the family was praying for a miracle. In some way, my daughter was able to lock it. Still not found. “First world problem” indeed!
After a couple days of anguish my Grandgirl received a phone call. The park had found it. They had her state some identifying factors. She drove up to get it. It was not broken or cracked or anything. It had just taken a night flight and then was returned. (Sort of like that kid who was trying to travel from Tampa to Cleveland and wound up in Puerto Rico? Only the iPhone could not read.)
As Anita sang in the West Side Story song America, “Smoke on your pipe and put that in!” Just listen to the first minute!
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 