2018--Striving to Make This Year Our Best Possible

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  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    KonaKat wrote: »
    No, I didn't walk across the bridge. In addition to walking across the underneath of the bridge, there are two overlooks. The pic was taken from the first one. The other one is way down the hill which means it is easy to go down but difficult to come back up without numerous stops and rests. There is a sign warning people of this and most people read the sign and didn't go down to the lower one.

    I looked at the video and noticed the gear-like things that were the bridge's expansion joints. I can't believe people jump off that bridge but there are thrill seekers who do things like that and hope the chute opens. I think there have been four deaths.

    I cringed just reading about walking under the bridge. Beautiful scenery and Fall color. I would have enjoyed it from the overlook beside you.
  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
    DH and I voted on Friday. Of course, we are political opposites, so our votes probably cancelled out the others’. I’m so hoping that the Blue Wave I keep hearing about is a tsunami because we so badly need a check on the blatant abuses of power we are seeing in Washington now. I honestly fear what will become of the USA if we continue on the path we’re on now.

    Helene, I was watching the news tonight and of course much of the coverage was about the shootings in Philadelphia. Regarding the comment that if there had been armed guards inside the synagogue there might have been a different outcome, someone asked the question “Does that mean we should all be armed all the time, everywhere we go?” It seems as if some would be ok with a return to the way it was in the old West, when all the men wore a gun belt and carried a rifle on their saddle at all times. I for one do not want to live that way. Here in Texas a few years ago a law was passed that makes it legal for people to carry long guns, aka rifles and shotguns, as well as handguns, openly in any location that doesn’t have specifically worded signs posted forbidding guns. The individual doesn’t even have to be licensed to carry a long gun. I try to be cautious when I’m out and if I see someone carrying a weapon I leave because I don’t know if it’s a good guy with a gun or a bad guy with a gun — and I don’t want to find out. DH has a concealed carry license and often is armed, but he doesn’t believe in open carry as he feels that gives away the element of surprise. I’m sure many others feel as he does and I’m probably often surrounded by guns (I do live in Texas, after all), but if I don’t see them I feel more comfortable. I don’t like guns and have no desire to learn how to shoot one, though DH invites me to go to a shooting range with him fairly often. I don’t think all guns should be outlawed, but I can see no need at all for semi automatic guns, bump stocks, etc. I believe those types of weapons should only be in the hands of the military and police. Yet another area where DH and I are on opposite sides of the issue, lol!
  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    Pam, you and I are in complete agreement on the gun issue. Nobody needs an AK 47 or a bump stock. I'd be happy with better background checks to keep guns out of the hands of mentally ill people. Getting them treatment would be high on my list too.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Plus one on the guns. I have nothing against a legal handgun in the home but everything else is overkill (pun intended).
  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
    On the gun issue, I know a woman who says she carries a gun in her purse in case it was ever needed. Her brother told her that by the time she opened her purse and dug down in it for the gun, the other person would have the drop on her. A few days later, she had to dig her cell phone out of the purse and it took ages for her to find it as it had worked under things. The brother took great pleasure in saying "See what I told you about the gun?" Add to it, this person is a little emotionally off and reacts without questioning.
  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    Scary to think someone like that has a gun in her purse. She's more likely to shoot an innocent person by mistake.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    KonaKat wrote: »
    On the gun issue, I know a woman who says she carries a gun in her purse in case it was ever needed. Her brother told her that by the time she opened her purse and dug down in it for the gun, the other person would have the drop on her. A few days later, she had to dig her cell phone out of the purse and it took ages for her to find it as it had worked under things. The brother took great pleasure in saying "See what I told you about the gun?" Add to it, this person is a little emotionally off and reacts without questioning.

    Oh, my (is all I can think of to say).

    I'd just as soon not have to worry about people in the grocery store (for example) having hidden guns.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    I had my last physical therapy appointment this morning. She measured me one last time and was surprised that I made so much progress in the last month. The range of motion in my fingers is somewhat close to normal (although it still doesn't fell normal - feels like I'm wearing a thick leather glove one size too small). Because of the plate my wrist motion probably will never be completely normal. I'm to use it as much as possible and continue my exercises at home although she says missing a day here and there won't hurt. At this point I won't lose range of motion.

    I've decided to have "packet day" tomorrow. I discovered I have enough upstairs to do one day, even before I get into my tubs. And amazingly I don't have to go anywhere tomorrow. I can work, eat my packets and get on the treadmill!
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
    Maryanne, if the plate was removed would your range of motion improve? My plate and pins in my ankle were removed a few months after I was fully healed. I don’t know if it improved my range of motion or not as that wasn’t the reason for removing the hardware. The concern in my case was about infection. My doctor attributed the blood infection I had to my body reacting to the metal in my body. Personally, I think the infection resulted from the large fracture blisters I had on both sides of my ankle prior to the initial surgery, but the doctor disagreed. I think he disagreed because his explanation provided more “cover” for him but of course there’s no way to prove it. Anyway, removing the plate and pins was no problem. It was a quick day surgery with very little downtime afterward. If that’s an option for you and would improve your function, it might be worth considering.
  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
    I love the kindness expressed by the different species! What a contrast to the vicious campaign ads.
  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    That is so sweet! Lucky dog, lucky puppies. That's great news about finishing PT. I wonder if the feeling of tightness will ever go away. Keep up the exercise to maximize your progress. How many months since the accident?
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    The accident was 5/17. They tell me that the wrist and hand may continue to improve for up to 2 years. I can type and do most things now so that's all good. I've made accommodations for some things. Like I've already learned not to shake pills into my hand over the sink (or I sometimes lose them).

    No one has recommended taking out the plate. They would do it if I told them it was causing major pain but it isn't. The therapist said usually the women who have it removed are tiny little old ladies where the plate is practically sticking out of their skin. Not much danger of me being a tiny little old lady. Old yes; tiny no.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
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  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    Good one Pam!
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Pam - good one!

    In my case it's a combination of the refrigerator and DH doing the laundry. For some reason, he doesn't want to have me take it back. So I've resorted to keeping my shrinkable clothes out of the hamper. LOL!
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    edited October 2018
    I saw the cardiologist today. She's starting me on blood pressure meds. She's hopeful that getting my blood pressure down will start to reverse some stuff she saw on the echo. And again she stressed losing weight. Actually high 5'd me about my loss in October. Between the heart and the prediabetes I guess I need to stay serious about the diet this time around.

    I didn't like her at first when my long time cardiologist retired but she's growing on me. What I need to decide in the next 6 months or so is whether I want to stick with a Hopkins doctor - which practically guarantees that I'll have to go downtown sometimes but is a fantastic hospital - or switch to someone affiliated with a suburban hospital (I have a recommendation from my oncologist).

    She asked about my mom and I couldn't tell her much. I know she died of a sudden heart attack at age 75 but there was no post mortem and my dad wouldn't let me go after her doctor for answers. In retrospect, if I'd thought to say my sister and I needed the family history I might have had more luck with my dad. Hindsight as they say......
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • PamS53
    PamS53 Posts: 1,961 Member
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  • KonaKat
    KonaKat Posts: 3,411 Member
    Pam--I love the answers to God. I rarely laugh out loud but was a winner!

    Maryanne--I was fortunate to have a good medical history of my family when I had to see the cardiologist for the first time. It was in the cards that I would develop a heart issue. Of my siblings, I have outlived them with my oldest brother dying at 70 from a heart attack after dealing with a heart issue for a couple of years. My mother lived to 90 despite dealing with congestive heart failure.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Pam - funny and so, so true!

    Jean - all four of my grandparents lived well into their 90's. So when mom died at 75 we were shocked. My dad is almost 93. I need to email my sister and make sure she's gotten a cardiologist.
  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    Pam, the answers to God are so true. A cat only dies what she wants to do. LOL
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    Helene610 wrote: »
    Pam, the answers to God are so true. A cat only dies what she wants to do. LOL

    I can almost hear Sammy saying it!
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
    edited November 2018
    I'm checking off doctor and vet visits. Today I did mammogram and bone density. It's the same place and they assured me that doing both was no problem but it really did confuse the heck out of them.

    There's a very female feel to the place. Any spouses that come along even usually sit in the outside waiting room rather than invade the "female domain". Today two large men in scrubs brought someone to the door on a stretcher. A very, very large man. They couldn't get the stretcher through the door so they moved him to a wheelchair to get him inside. First male patient I've ever seen there.

    Made me think about the male breast cancer survivor in A Million Little Things.
  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • mdubbs1
    mdubbs1 Posts: 6,684 Member
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  • Helene610
    Helene610 Posts: 2,858 Member
    mdubbs1 wrote: »
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    This brought back memories and smiles for me. The girls hated going into carriers. However, when we'd get to the vet, the cats would spread eagle so it was hard to get them out. Once out, they run around the exam room trying to get back in.
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