To say the least.
Recenty I almost promised to post more Cedar Waxwing photos to Feathered Photography “in the next few days” and here it is eight days later and nada. The reasons for the delay are mostly medical and that’s something I really don’t like to talk about on my blog. But at some point I realize that my loyal readers deserve to know at least the basics of what’s going on. We’re now at that point, and beyond.
A few months ago, after three major back surgeries in the last five years, my back started going south on me again, progressively. Knowing the likely outcome, I’ve tried to endure it for as long as I can by reducing my back and leg-aggravating activities (including long birding trips) as much as possible.
Lumbar steroid injection
As a potential stopgap measure to delay the likely inevitability of additional surgery, yesterday I had two steroid injections in my spine. One injection was at the top of my lumbar region and the other where the bottom lumbar vertebrae joins with my sacrum – basically at the upper and lower borders of my earlier spinal fusion.
I’ve had lumbar steroid injections before and they haven’t helped much, and even at best they’re temporary, but if possible I’d like to delay the likely inevitability of additional surgery at least until spring/early summer birding and garden-planting activities are over. We’ll see how that goes…
To complicate matters, I’ve known for about five years that I have an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) that I’ve been keeping a close eye on. AAA’s typically grow about 10% per year and a recent scans and visit with my vascular surgeon revealed that it’s getting to the size where it will have to be repaired at some point in the fairly near future – her prediction is in 2-3 years but it could vary. I’ll admit it, a growing aortic aneurism makes me nervous. It makes me think of tire blowouts, so I take my blood pressure medication religiously.
So there you have it. I’m not publishing this post to whine in public or for sympathy. I just figure my readers deserve to know why the timing of my posts has been so sporadic and unpredictable lately. Every day I think of my dad’s mantra when he was feeling the pains and going through the medical scares and major inconveniences of old age. He would often say “It beats the hell out of the alternative”.
Dad was right. In the future I’ll try to keep posts like this to an absolute minimum. I’ll also try to post those Cedar Waxwing photos “soon”.
Ron
You don’t have to apologize for any part of this post Ron. Getting old sucks. I enjoy any and all of your wonderful pictures. Take care and wishing you the best from Iowa.
Backs make me cranky. I’ve had issues since 1993 from a fall. When it acts up, it’s a bed day.
A day late, but letting you know Central Washington is thinking of you.
Just now watched a kettle of Turkey Vultures (20) soaring lazily – we don’t get them very often, so it was a beautiful sight. Hope some of that peace can make its way to you for the uncertainty of the days ahead for you.
Lucky you, Carolyn. I haven’t seen any vultures yet this year. But then I haven’t been anywhere lately where they usually hang out.
Ron go try some localized cryotherapy on your lower back followed by some red light therapy in a cocoon sonopod it’ll help blood flow to the injured area but you might want to wear a blood pressure cuff to monitor your blood pressure while you’re in the Cocoon sonopod getting full body red light therapy because we’re talking temperatures of up to 180° been working wonders for my shoulder. Make sure you drink a bottle of water before you get in you’re going to sweat. Look for a wellness center in your area.
Thanks for the suggestion, Steven. I’ll look into it but some of it sounds potentially ominous to me, given my aneurism. That thing makes me very nervous.
Ron good to see a post from you. It does not bother me and interested in your health problems. It seems back and spine surgery never works out for most people. My sister has a anurism at the base of her skull and it has been 7 years since it was found. We just never know what will happen. You take care and hope the shots work for you.
Trudy, some of my previous surgeries actually helped, just not as much as I wanted or for as long as I hoped for. Back surgery is a crap shoot.
Your first priority should be your health!! So – as much as I will miss your posts – as I’m sure all others will too – TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF FIRST AND FOREMOST!!
Thanks Judy. But I still hope to publish posts, just not as often or as predictably as I used to
Well hell, Ron. It it’s always something we’ll be keeping good thoughts for you. I know you’re taking good care. Hugs to you.
Thank you, Susan.
Best wishes and good thoughts for you Ron! I hope the injections work well for the back pain.
Thanks, Bill. So do I.
Thanks for sharing a bit about your health status. Keep taking care of the big stuff, while also savoring the ‘small stuff’ right outside your window! I’m sure all of us are empathizing and sending you all the best.
Thank you, Elise.
Take care of yourself Ron, we are all, unfortunately, getting older
Unfortunately indeed. Thanks, Ken.
You should know that all of your Blog Friends wish you the very best!
I’m getting that feeling, Laurie. It’s greatly appreciated.
Hi Ron – hey, thanks for the update, and best wishes for your (inevitable) upcoming medical treatments.
And yes, it is MOST inconvenient, the health issues that are continually surprising us. Mostly, things we never heard of!!
I so much appreciate your photos and educational narratives, can’t wait for you to get back to feeling better.
Take really good care of yourself!
Quentin
“Take really good care of yourself”
I’m trying, Quentin. Back in the day I developed the habit of avoiding doctors whenever possible. I’ve learned by experience that that isn’t very smart. I can be a slow learner but eventually I get it, usually…
Sorry to hear about the return of your back pain, Ron. I really hope the injections bring you some relief. Birds are my happy place, and I hope your neighbors will take turns filling your feeders if you’ll be out of commission for a while.😊 I agree with the others -seeing FP in my inbox is a most enjoyable gift! Thank you!
Diane, If I ever get to the point where I can’t fill my feeders I’ll be pretty long gone. For me that’s a priority.
When I can’t work in my garden for medical reasons there’s no better therapy than watching my backyard birds from my patio. Lesser Goldfinches have been incredibly abundant and entertaining all year. I should probably post some photos of them sometime soon.
Oh dear. After enjoying a good-size squadron (18-24 birds) of Waxies “singing” in the neighbor’s sycamore yesterday, I was thinking of you and those additional photos you had mentioned last week … so sorry to find out your back is the hold-up, once again. You’ve been through enough already, and adding the AAA is beyond the proverbial insult to injury. (I have a family history so well-aware of the dangers there.)
I hope these injections give you more relief than you’ve had in the past, so that you’re able to do as much gardening as needed to keep you in tomatoes (and sunflowers, etc.) throughout the summer. A little bird photography and FP posting would be nice, too. Hang in there, Ron! ❤️
“A little bird photography and FP posting would be nice, too.
I plan on obliging both requests Chris, and fairly soon too. To hell with the “of mice and men” quote that comes to mind about plans… 🙂
Ron, Good luck and sending positive thoughts your way. Our good friends, who are 80, are fond of saying “Growing old is not for the weak.” Is that ever true…
Thanks, Carol. It sure is true.
Thank you for sharing about your health. I don’t like going to the doctor unless I absolutely have to. Thankfully I have no major health issues but hearing about your heart gives me something to take into consideration not just for my future self but for my aging parents who also take blood pressure medication.
Hope you can take it easy in the meantime and may nothing aggravate your back!
Thank you, Amy. I wish the best for you and your parents.
Ron, you are an absolute treasure of a human being and I’m so glad I was introduced to your blog all those years ago; each one is interesting and I always learn something.
You’ve done extraordinary things and I don’t mind if you complain!! AAA sounds scary and terrifying and let us know if/how we can assist when you have surgery!
Thanks for the very kind comment, Nicky.
If I’m lucky, meaning that the aneurism isn’t too close or hasn’t invaded my renal artery, I’ll be able to have the much less invasive surgery to repair my aneurism. Should be out of the hospital the next morning.
Hope the injections help you get the relief you need. Take care.
Thanks, Michelle.
Thank you for letting us know. I watched you for years although I didn’t comment much but I loved your bird photos and miss them now. You have been through so much and my wishes for you are that you hang in there and get better and better? Because I read what you said you introduced me to a completely new author your Utah colleague Terry Tempest Williams I loved her books too. I send you. My very best wishes for your good health..
Eloise, thanks for mentioning and appreciating Terry.
Terry is one of a kind, in all of the good ways. She wears her heart on her sleeve – when you read what she writes you’re getting the genuine Terry. No phoniness there – not one bit. She comes across the very same way in person – one on one.
As a friend just said to me: Wow, look at you. You are getting old. Now that’s something you haven’t done before.
And, as I now know that I am an old person, it reminds me that I have almost given up gardening because of back pain. So if there is one person who could help with back-saving devices and strategies it is probably you. I have learned so much about birds, photography, patience, and perseverance from you – now I am eager to learn about how old people can still garden. Thanks and yes medical insurance is a PITA.
“So if there is one person who could help with back-saving devices and strategies it is probably you.”
Frances, that’s why I’m hoping to publish a post soon, hopefully this week, about some of those strategies and devices. I figure I’m not the only one in that boat.
If I hadn’t come up with one of those devices I don’t think I’d be planting anything in my garden this year except tomatoes.
Ron I’m very glad you shared what’s happening. I’ll be 77 in a few weeks and yep … it’s a challenge. I’ve had some bumps in the road but currently doing well and I’m grateful for every day of it. Don’t know what’s around the corner but I guess I’ll figure it out when it hits … or I won’t. In the meantime, like you, I try to be aware and to be proactive about taking care of myself. We do the best we can, that’s all we can do. I’m not happy to hear about your troubles, my old friend, but very happy to be reading that you are caring for yourself and … doing the best you can! Sending much love!
“I’ve had some bumps in the road but currently doing well”
I’m very glad to hear that, Lois. At this point I think I was out of my mind, nuts really, to not appreciate my very good health as much as I should have when I had it. The things I took for granted…
I’m so sorry you’re in pain. Having Rheumatoid Arthritis since 13, that’s 54 years I sympathize with you. I’m hoping the shots help. My mantra many days is suck it up buttercup, you got things to do!!
Take care.
Diana, I have a nephew that has had RA since he was just a couple of years older than you were when you were diagnosed. He’s in his early 50’s now. He’s tough but it’s been very hard on him. I wish you the best with your big health challenge.
Your dad is correct. Enjoy staying on this side of the dirt. 😆 Wishing you the best as you navigate through these issues Ron – and thanks for sharing.
“Your dad is correct.
Kathleen, my dad was usually correct, pretty much about everything. After our many “discussions” over the years I wish I’d let him know that before it was too late.I kinda did but not straight out.
Thanks for the update. Please take care of yourself. I’ve enjoyed your photos and learned from your tech specs for so many years. Here’s to many more.
Thanks for the reminder about “tech specs”, Catherine. Sometimes I get lazy and don’t include them. I’ll try to do better.
Well, poop! I’m sorry to read that you’re going through all this mishegas with your back again. You certainly didn’t need this AAA on top of it (the other “Triple A” is good to have when on the road😉)! My mom relied on the same adage as your dad. Sending lots of healing vibes your way. 💕
Thanks, Marty. I haven’t had that Triple A in a long time. I miss their maps. Yes, I’m old school, along with “old” everything else.
Their maps are the best! The guide books too! Driving 20+ year-old cars, I’m especially fond of their roadside service. 🧐
Thanks for letting us know, Ron. And bless your medical team for watching out for you. We’re all glad you didn’t just retire on us outright, so take your time! And take care.
“We’re all glad you didn’t just retire on us outright.”
A couple of times it came close. Thanks, Ellen.
I’m so sorry to hear this. I can totally identify. I can’t go out much anymore to shoot or anything. Auto immune. Old age isn’t what I thought it would be.
Sorry to hear about your health challenges, Ellen. I’m not sure I expected old age to be great but I had hopes it would be a little better than I’m experiencing.
Best wishes for a bit of relief for awhile. It’s a blessing to have good medical care. Take care 💕
Thank you, Mary.
Rotten luck. Wishing you the best possible outcome.
Thanks, Florence.
Well HELL! Sad your back is getting “that way” – AGAIN. Frustrating to put it mildly…… The aneurism certainly is an ongoing concern that can’t be ignored. Know more than one person they’ve taken out without previously knowing they existed. Glad you/medical establishment are aware of it and keeping tabs on it. No, aging is not amusing – so far it’s been “manageable” for me. Having to slow down and change how we do things is a challenge. Take care of you!
On a happier note it “sounds” (longish trill) like I have an Eastern Screech Owl in the diggins…… 🙂
“Glad you/medical establishment are aware of it and keeping tabs on it.”
That’s only part of the equation, Judy. The other part is getting insurance to pay for the scans and eventually the repair. They have strict timelines for what they’ll cover and what they won’t. For example, they’ll only cover an aneurism scan every six months to see how large it’s become. And they won’t cover the surgical repair until the aneurism has reached 5 1/2 cm (in men, 5 cm in women) Mine’s getting there…
Congrats on the Screech Owl.
Yep – insurance thing sucks at times – hopefully they don’t mess you up over the long haul! Always “interesting” what they think is necessary and when……..
Travelling in the same boat and experiencing similar “challenges.” Like Woody, I view your posts as gifts and wish you every success in managing and subduing your cross-eyed bears. I admire your tenacity and ingenuity.
“I admire your tenacity and ingenuity.”
Much appreciated, Burrdoo. We do what we have to do I guess.
I’m sorry to hear you’re facing these challenges. While I agree with your dad’s mantra, it doesn’t make it any easier. I view your posts as gifts, not to be expected but greatly enjoyed when they arrive. I hope you can get some relief soon.
” it doesn’t make it any easier.”
I agree, it doesn’t. But it still helps me to cope. And brings back some loving memories. Thanks, Woody.
So sorry to hear about those ever increasing aches and pains (and worse) you are experiencing. To add to your father’s sayings, here’s mine (probably not original) “Old age is not for sissies.”
Thanks, Justine. See the thread with Susan Southam below about the “sissies” quote.
So sorry Ron. All my good wishes to you.
Thanks, Karen.
I’m sorry to hear all of this. I hope the injections have a positive effect! Whoever it was who said “getting old is not for sissies” (Katherine Hepburn? Bette Davis?) was absolutely correct.
Mark Twain: “Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”.
I mind, so it matters… 🙂
Yeah, me too. FYI the not for sissies quote is attributed to Bette Davis.
Seems to me like it was Hepburn originally. But I dunno.
See above. I thought Hepburn too, but Google says Davis
I’ve always liked Hepburn better than Davis so maybe that’s the illogical reason I went that way.
Another sympathy/affection I have with Hepburn is that we share a medical condition – essential tremors. That’s what made her head shake so noticeably as she got older. At least my tremors only effect my hands and they’re now significantly controlled by medication.
You have my sympathy. Given that I work on boats, manual labor is the name of the game, and every now and then I do myself in, one way or another. The latest was a torn muscle in my right arm. The big difference is that an injury heals: at least, in time. The arm took about four months. But degenerative issues are something else. I hope slowing down and being patient with yourself extends your ability to both garden and photograph your birds substantially.
“I hope slowing down and being patient with yourself extends your ability to both garden and photograph your birds substantially.”
Thanks, Shoreacres.
See my reply to Ricardo below. I’m pretty proud about what I’ve been able to accomplish in the garden so far and “slowing down” has been key. As have some of the strategies I’ve come up with. I may even do a post about some of them soon. I’m not the only one with back problems and a vegetable garden…
Dear Ron: du courage and my best wishes to you. Keeping busy and motivated helps a lot.
“Keeping busy and motivated helps a lot.”
Agreed, Ricardo.
I’m trying to keep busy by doing spring work in my garden. I work really, really slow but the number of back-saving devices and strategies I’ve been able to come up with has been amazing, so I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve been able to accomplish. So far anyway….