WARNING:another whiney post

I thought I was being so smart before we left in the spring for home. I did a lot of research on a list of referrals for Dr.'s that I had gotten from various sources. Decided on the one that looked best to me and set up an appointment to meet him. We discussed all the issues I have with post polio and such and decided we would be a good match. Felt very proud of myself.
So when I went to see him last week fully expecting he would be able to help me with my pain issues. Unfortunately he informed me he does not handle chronic pain, say what, he doesn't handle chronic pain? He doesn't expect a 62 year old post polio women who has a fused ankle and knee to have pain problems?
So, he says, no worries, I have just the guy for you, he deals exclusively in chronic pain, he will be just what you need.
So I say ok, that's fine, I will call and make an appointment. So I call, they are very nice, they take all my information on the phone, we get the appointment made and the person on the phone says, now what joint are you having a problem with? I say, all of them, she says all of them? I say again all of them, now remember I have already told her the sad story of becoming allergic to the Nsaids, and taking the narcotics, and she says I'm sorry we can't help you, we only do injections on individual joints. I reminded her I told her about the drugs and she said, oh we only give them to you short term, until we inject, sorry we can't help you.
I am starting to lose it a bit by now. But she interrupts my mini rant and says I have just the person for you, let me give you their number and proceeds to rattle off a number. I say is this a group of doctors? She says, oh no this isn't a Dr., this is a physicians assistant/nurse. Now I am thinking, I am scared to death to be taking these drugs and now I am going to rely on a nurse (no offense to nurses, really, I love nurses) not going to happen, I want a Dr. who is a specialist in pain management.
I politely say thank you and hang up and then proceed to have a major meltdown. I mean major, crying, yelling, the whole nine yard.
After I calm down, I call the first Dr. back and explain that his referral did not work out. They called me back later in the day with another referral to a pain clinic with two Dr.s. So after I research them, I give them a call and make an appointment, doing my best to make sure they understand what I need. I am going next Thursday, all a can say is wish me luck.

Happy Thanksgiving

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt

Wish me luck

Going to the Dr. today. Don't expect a miracle, would be happy with just a little more relief. Wish me luck!

When Pigs Fly

Definition : When Pigs Fly
I don't know why or when my fascination with flying pigs started. I like to think having them around helps me remember "anything is possible, there is always hope, tomorrow will be another day", all those phrases that help you get through the hard times. I wanted to share a few of my flying pigs.







I don't remember where I picked most of them up, but my favorite is this little white sweetie that a friend gave me last night. How can you look at that pudgy little body being lifted by those golden wings and not feel it's gonna be alright. Thanks for finding it for me Tanis, I know it's going to help me through some of the tough times ahead.

Sunday Praise

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,
Do not be disheartened, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

I have a new Mantra

"survival + acceptance + adaptation = "a new kind of normal"
While reading and catching up on what's been going on with everyone I noticed a new update on Go West Feral Woman. What this woman has been through would make most of us crawl into the deepest darkest cave we could find and wail like a banshie. But not her, she has such strength, such grace, such humor.
The code she has determined to live her life by is so simple, so perfect, so profound, I know she will not mind if I borrow it for myself. "A new normal, that's what I have been struggling with, like a have any choice. There is no choice, things have changed and I need to do exactly what she suggests, accept, adapt and get to my new normal.
We had our first full day in our winter home yesterday. The weather, of course, was beautiful. We went to a really big happy hour at the neighbors last night and caught up with a lot of our friends. There were a lot of " what I did over the summer" conversations. Izzy is thrilled to meet all of her doggie friends.
I am trying to reorganize the coach, wish I had my sisters here, we could have it done in no time. As soon as I put something in it's new perfect spot, I realize that just won't work and start all over again. Oh well, I have all winter to get it right!

PAIN,PAIN GO AWAY, DON'T COME AGAIN ANOTHER DAY

Last night was horrible, just horrible. I tossed and turned and walked the floor until about 4:30 am this morning. I know why it happened, I should never, ever have cleaned the grout on the kitchen floor. But I get so tired of just sitting, looking out the window, doing nothing. I just ignored my smarter self saying "you'll be sorry" and did it any way.

I am so glad the part to fix the motor coach will be in today and we will be in AZ tomorrow night. The first thing I am going to do Thursday morning is call and make a Dr.'s appointment. After a night like last night I am so ready for drugs, if that is what it takes, then that is what it takes, bring 'em on. I want my life back, some pain I can handle, I 'm a big girl, but I need to be able to function at some level, to live some semblance of a life.

Now I am going to take my morning meds and take a nap. Hope you all are having a good day.

A beautiful day in New Mexico

We are still sitting here in Las Cruces waiting for a part for the coach. Fingers crossed it will come by UPS tomorrow, it won't be the end of the world if it doesn't come, our spot in AZ is just sitting there waiting for us. But we are eating out way to much here, so I am hoping the part comes tomorrow or we( I) could be in trouble.

Today we went to the farmer's market in Old Messilla and were lucky enough to stumble on a Mariachi contest. The groups were from high schools around the southwest, as far away as Nogales, Mexico.

They were all quite good.

This is a group that was backstage preparing for their turn, doesn't she look intense?

I loved all the costumes, so beautiful.

The singers were really exceptional for high schoolers.

We didn't get to stay till the end to see who won, Sunday is NASCAR day after all. We had to get home in time to see Smoke come in second. One more race, next week is Homestead, the end of the road, the big ending. Oh I will be a happy girl if Tony pulls it off.

Sunday Praise

For the Beauty of the Earth

By Folliott S. Pierpoint
He hath made all things beautiful. – Ecclesiastes 3:11

For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth over and around us lies:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the wonder of each hour of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale and tree and flower, sun and moon and stars of light:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For the joy of human love, brother, sister, parent, child;
Friends on earth and friends above; for all gentle thoughts and mild:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For Thy church that evermore lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore her pure sacrifice of love;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.

For my Veteran and Yours

It had to happen sometime....

Yesterday was to be our fourth and last day of driving, we were scheduled to be in Las Cruces for a few nights and then on to our winter home.
But in the world of RVing things happen, so instead of completing our miles yesterday we sat on the side of the road somewhere in west Texas for seven hours waiting on mobile service.
It is lovely to drive and live in a nice coach like this, but the rule is, the more dodads you have the more chances for one of them to break.
We actually kept our cool fairly well, we even laughed as other RVer's passed us on the road as we sat there. We knew exactly what they were saying, the same thing we have always said as we passed others sitting on the side of the road, That Ain't Good!!
Luckily after three technicians failed, one very savvy guy on site and another on the phone with Jay we were fixed up enough to drive.
Today we will be in Las Cruces and hope to arrange for a more permanent fix.

Sunday Praise

In times of quietness, our hearts should be like a tree,lifting their branches to heaven to draw down strength which they will need to face the storms that will surely come in life.
Salesians of Don Bosco

10 things I am grateful for.

I know it has been a while, not because I don't have tons of things to be thankful for, but because I have been in a poopy mood due to the pain. Pain dulls your joy and your imagination, but I am fighting my way back.
1. The Sun is shinning today, I love the Sun shining in the window.
2. J has done an excellent job planning this trip, giving us days of rest at lovely places.
4. My pretty new tiled bedroom floor, it makes it so, so much easier to keep the floors clean.
5. Our new I phones, I had no idea how many useful app's are available.
6. The Michael Jackson trail is almost over, I have been stuck to the TV since it started. Don't ask me why, I don't know.
7. My family is going to have Christmas together. Last year they didn't and it made me so sad, I felt that it was my fault.
8. Books, I might have listed this before, but even if I did it deserves to be listed again. Since I am destined to spend most of my time sitting on my butt (thank you post polio) I just don't know what I would do without my books.
9. That my sister Louise saved Mama's plant for me and I am looking at it on the counter standing so tall and strong. It makes me smile just to look at it.
10. I am so thankful we decided to stay in the house a few more years and all the time we have spent each year discussing the pros and cons, should we shouldn't we can be spent on other things.( like what will I remodel next summer!)

Gulf Shores

Poor Iz was up all night with tummy troubles, so of course, was I. Glad today is not a travel day, we need to get some rest. Thought I would share just a few photos of our stay in Gulf Shores.

So happy J found a beach that allows dogs, getting harder and harder to do.
I love pine trees. Love, love, love pine trees.
These are little jelly fish that had washed up on shore, first time I ever saw one.

Lots of pelicans were out.

We ran across a scarecrow contest from Halloween. They were really neat, Iz was barking at them she did not care for them at all. Here a few of my favorites.

We are just going to take it easy today. J is outside working on a problem with the jacks, electrical I think. As soon as she wakes up I am going to give Iz a bath. Long hair and diarrhea do not work together, nuff said! When we leave Beau Bridge we have three traveling days in a row, not looking forward to that.