Friday, April 8, 2016

Health Update and Just Some Thoughts in My Brain

I had no intention of posting today. I got up early and tackled the day, but my mind has two things on it and just need to share/write them down and move on. I am going to apologize now for the length, but sometimes you just gotta write/share. 

Stick with me...because I need your opinion.


My thoughts go back to Wednesday (I have been quite busy this week). I had a class at my doctor in Pensacola that has made me a new person. Part of the program has been a series of classes. ALL of them have been extremely interesting. The title of this one had made me look forward to it. It was called a "A Life in Balance." It was great as all of his stuff has been!



This whole process has been life changing. I have said it before, I have been going downhill slowly at first since about age 38 or 39 with the onslaught of RA. Really downhill from age 50. I am currently 55. I am basically in 6 months time a whole new person. More later.

As we sat in the conference room, I knew two of the men started around the same time as me because we had been in an earlier class together and I have seen them leaving when I would get there, etc. We began to talk before the doctor arrived. There were 4 of us on Wednesday and every single one of them said the same thing. He had changed our lives. BACK TO THAT in a moment.

I have been working in the yard all week, been to the gym two days and really been going at it.



Yesterday, I decided to tackle a problem on the side of the house that affects the lower deck. It really needs Hubby's attention, but more about that in a minute. 

About two years ago, when the spring rains came here that were like the 100 year rains and flooding took place all over Fort Walton Beach, we took to putting gutters back up on the side of the house. 

We had taken them down because of trees and that we didn't think we needed them. Anyway that kind of created a washing down at the bottom. I got old pictures of the house out, trying to see what looked different because I couldn't remember my father-in-law ever having trouble. 

I decided to dig out some dirt at the bottom and add some stones. It is tacky for sure, and I know Hubby will change it up, but that is not the point of my story at all.

You see.... I went to Lowe's and purchased 21 stones that I put on the cart, pulled to the truck, loaded onto my truck, unloaded into a wheel barrow in a couple of loads, hauled them down the side of the house which is a long way. I stopped about halfway and then toted them down to the bottom. I dug out dirt that had washed down there and moved all that dirt to other places and stacked the stone.

Tired of it washing all onto my deck.

The long journey with stones. Pretty far and steep.


I was extremely tired. 
Did not cook: we ate leftovers. I
 took an Epsom Salts bath and sat down to watch American Idol. 

I figured I wouldn't be able to move this morning. 

Well, amazing, not so!

I felt great!

I got up and walked/jogged for a little over a mile instead of the gym today. I wanted to be outside. I figured my stone carrying had been my weights for today.

The thing is I jogged for a good bit of it. Do y'all have any idea how long that has been??????

I did 5K's after my son was born, but that was 23 years ago. I never had great times, but still, I was able to do it.

All of this leads me to the crazy part of me!!!!!

Are y'all ready for the crazy part of me????

Well, I do not have a Facebook. I have said I never would. Here are my big two reasons....

#1 I have always kind of felt like it was a gossip rag. I will go further with that thought in a minute. Now, isn't any form of social media kind of that if we allow it? 

Most of my friends have no idea I have a blog. Yes, I am a closet blogger. I am confessing that.
Why am a I a closet blogger? I am not sure... insecurity is one reason -if I am honest. Second, I truly don't want anyone to thing I am bragging when I share pictures of my home. I am always humbled that I get to live in the great house on the water, and own a farm and a cabin at the lake.

I always feel like I would be thought of as bragging, but the truth is I really love houses. Remember, I  Majored in Home Economics. One of my favorite blogs is Kelly's Talk of the House. She is simply amazing with all her creativity. Her home is beautiful. I love that. She says she has always loved looking at homes and magazines.

It has always been a hobby of mine.

Here are a few of my older books from late 80's and early 90's to show you my love for all things decorating.


So, if I am a closet blogger, you can imagine that having a Facebook account would kill me.

#2 Reason for no Facebook is that I am a teacher by trade (retired, because there is no way in the world I would even be writing this if I were still teaching). Anyone out there in the education field knows what I am talking about. I wouldn't have to write one word. I think personally for teachers and the impact it has on kids is hurtful.

IT REALLY is a place to be mean and hurt people!

In fact, most of my hubby's previous day was spent yesterday dealing with something that happened that was made a thousand times worse with social media. I mean kids are something else. AND this was good kids who should have known better in one of the TWO incidents that dealt with social media.
He was completely exhausted!

AND in both of those ----the parents are a thousand times worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, if you have survived reading thus far, you are asking what in the world is on her mind???

Well, back to Wednesday. When I walked in the doctor's wife runs the front desk and was talking about the Facebook page that they have created to go with their webpage which in today's world is pretty much a must have!

I knew that I desperately wanted to be able to comment on that page and tell people how much has happened to me, but I don't have a Facebook page.

They have changed my future and answered prayers!

You see my dilemma?! 

My mind can't stop thinking about it. Earlier this week, my daughter and I were discussing a new blog that just disseminated information about RA and where I am at with it, but she said just do it here, but then that goes against my blog purpose here. And I don't want to be one of those people who drives people nutty.

Anyway, it is out there ... just how crazy I am .... I have confessed my nuttiness!!

Facebook or not? That would mean a ton of people would see it and my Hubby is still a principal.

Sorry for the rambling, but I feel better just putting my thoughts down.
Sandy

BTW - 3 1/2 weeks no Xeljanz
and in 2 weeks we look at the place on my back to check it.

6 comments:

  1. I'm going to see if I can find your email and contact you personally. I agree with everything you've said about facebook and only use it for my blog. I'm dealing with hateful trolls now at the newspaper and it's horrible what people think they can say when they feel anonymous.
    So very happy you are feeling better! Keep up the good work and tell us more about your treatments!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are correct about Facebook! I'm sure there are many RA blogs out there that you could comment on with your info. Or, get a FB account but be "inactive" so to speak. My husband and daughter have accounts but don't post or otherwise use them. It's just a "social media presence" so your identity can be verified. If you do that, Sandy, you can join RA Facebook groups and post your wonderful news about your dr. there. I recently joined several autoimmune paleo groups and the info shared is amazing. Glad you are feeling great. Can't believe you hauled all that stone and could move afterwards! Very impressive!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just thought of something else......what I mean by "join" the group......the FB groups I joined are "closed" groups. You click "Join" and it will say "pending". The moderator checks you out on FB to verify whatever. I know your daughter could have told you this! You don't have to use FB to have an account. Just don't "Friend" anyone who asks. Click "ignore".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I will have to have my daughter explain a ton if I decide to do it. I thought about doing one with the blog name. I will have to think it through very carefully.
      Glad to hear your diet is working as well. I researched that after you mentioned it. There is so much out there that can be so helpful that the medical profession just doesn't tell us because pharmaceuticals have WAY too much influence.

      Delete
  4. Sandy, I am so happy that you are feeling better and without the meds! Keep doing what you are doing as it works!! I am on Facebook and I use it mainly to keep up with family and friends. I have been blessed to have a good experience with FB. And if you join, friend me!! As to blogging. I know what you mean as I have some of those same feelings. I do not want to appear to be a Humble Bragger, as my Daughter in Love puts it. And we all know some of those!! What I like about your blog is that you like the same things I like!! And fortunately I have never had any "hater" commenters. Everyone has been so lovely and I have made many new friends, like you!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have loved meeting people out there in blog land as well. It really does enrich my life and I am with you on that we should not spend time on things we don't enjoy doing. The blog is a creative outlet.
      I am leaning towards not making a page since Hubby is still actively working at a local high school. My daughter may do my bidding for me on the doctor's page.
      Thanks for always commenting. I love hearing from you!

      Delete

I am so glad you stopped by my little blog. Drop in again anytime.
Sincerely,
Sandy