Ed has really been working alot in the yard, getting it all in shape for spring. Here is one of the flowerbeds that he reworked, putting some new edging around it and all. Now if we can just keep Rocky out it, because he likes to lay in the new mulch. *grin*

Ed also bought me a new rocking chair for the front porch. I love our old lawn chairs but they are a bit too low for me to sit in now. The rocking chair is much higher and easier for me to sit in. Thank you, honey!!! *smile*

Springtime in Ohio!

The flowering trees are absolutely beautiful and lush this year! More so than usual. I went to visit my sister Debbie yesterday and the trees outside of her building were breathtaking so I took a few pictures! Oh, the first one is of a weeping cherry tree at Wendy's drive-thru! *smile* Isn't it beautiful?

These next pics are of the trees outside of Debbie's building. Someone said they thought they were pear trees.

The Diagnosis

Well, I had an MRI on my lower back last Monday and went to Dr. Gedeon for treatment and to get the results. I have two bulging/herniated discs and one degenerative disc. Also, the opening where the nerves come out of one of my vertebrae is getting smaller.....because of arthritis......therefore pressure is being put on the nerves, irritating them, causing swelling, which is causing pain. And because of the degenerative disc, one of my vertebrae is tending to slide a little forward into and toward my pelvis, which is not good. Sooo, he has suggested that our first course of action be in getting shots....NRSI....Nerve Root Sleeve Injections. These would hopefully help to alleviate the pain (though it is not guaranteed) and to diminish the inflammation so that some healing could take place. I want to start small and go from there, so surgery is not even a consideration at the present time. And I would want some other opinions also. Now I just have to wait for my appointment to be made. I'll keep you posted. There is so much information on the internet about the spine, back pain and so on. I have learned alot and I am hopeful that I will get better in time.

I had the pelvic utrasound last week.....that was special. *feeble grin* I go to Dr. Keller tomorrow afternoon to get the results of that and find out what we are going to do next. *sighhhhh*

You see, I am not one to go to the doctor. Never have been. I haven't been in the hospital since I gave birth to Daniel 21 years ago. AND I only started going to my family doctor regularly about two years ago when my blood pressure got a little high, so now I go every 3 or 4 months just to get that checked and get my prescription renewed for my blood pressure tablet which is 5mg of Enalipril a day. Probably if I lost weight I wouldn't even need that.

Anywayyyyyy......I will keep you posted!

Thank you, Barbara

My dear friend, Barbara, at Stray Thoughts passed along this friendship award to me. Though Barbara and I have not met in person, we have become good friends just through our blogs. I believe that I found her blog when I began doing Thursday Thirteen many months ago and that is how we met. Again, thank you, Barbara for the award. Now, I would like to pass it on to Theresa, Chantell, Sis. Hurst, Sis. Elms, Rochelle, and Tracy. I appreciate each of your friendships so much!

I miss my mind the most

Sooooooo, I put off having an MRI and some other tests that I've needed until I got my Medicare Card and Humana, which is kind of a supplement, but not really......THEY say, but I present my Humana card whenever I go to the doctor, pharmacy, hospital, etc. and then Humana works with Medicare to cover any charges. Anywayyyy.....I was supposed to automatically receive my Humana card when Medicare kicked in, but I didn't. So I called our agent, oh, three or four times, leaving messages, asking why I had not received my card. She finally returned my call and said that everything in their system said that my card had been mailed, I was all ready to go as of April 1st. Well, I was in the car going somewhere with Ed when I received this call and after hanging up, I thought that I would just look in my billfold, go through my cards and so on. AND......there is was! My Humana card!!!! I promise you.....I do not remember receiving it! I don't know when I got it but there it was....right behind my social security card which is in front of my Medicare Card which is right behind my drivers license, where I keep all of my important cards!!!! Good Heavens!!! All I can figure out is that because Ed and I signed up for Humana at the same time, we must have gotten our cards at the same time, even though mine was not to become active until April. His became active back in December.
So this morning, I had a pelvic ultrasound at our local hospital. I had to have a full bladder. Well, this was going to be a trick because that is part of the reason I was having all of this done in the first place but hey.....ya gotta do what ya gotta do. So I drank enough water to float a battleship.....or so it seemed.......and hoped for the best. *feeble grin* Sooooo, any other time, my bladder would be torturing me every few minutes but I promise you......Ed took me to the hospital. I checked in. The ultrasound tech (a wonderfully sweet woman) came and escorted me to the examining room. I got all prepped and laid down on the table and my bladder was not full enough! Helloooooo!!! Soooooo, I proceeded to drink two more HUGE glasses of water. I swear I was beginning to hear a sloshing sound in my ears and the sweet tech lady was telling me that if my bladder didn't fill up adequately we could always reschedule. HELLOOOOOOOO.......... So, I just closed my eyes and prayed (seriously) that my bladder would fill. This dear lady, who was doing the ultrasound, and I just hit it off. We had so much in common that we about talked ourselves silly! And finally, finally...my body cooperated! And she was able to get the images that were needed.
Backing up a little here, when Ed and I arrived at the hospital, of course, I started seeing so many people that I had not seen for some time, as I just don't get out as much as I used to. My DH is always amazed at how many people I know. ???? I've lived here all of my life AND I love people. He says I am like the pope: I know everybody. Well, I don't know about that but anywayyyyy......it was good to see so many sweet people and be able to catch up a little with them.
Again, I'll keep you posted as to what is going on with me and this body of mine. I do know that I am going to have surgery. I just hope it is soon because I want so much to get better, to get back on my feet, to get my back fixed, if possible.
The weather this week is absolutely beautiful here in SE Ohio! I am so thankful for the sunshine! I've been watching Ed and encouraging him (*grin*) as he works in the yard and gets it in shape and ready to mow.
Happy Spring, Everyone!!

What is going on with me

I wondered just how much I should say here on my blog about what is going on with my health but then I considered that this is my journal, so here goes. I pray it isn't too personal for some of you. I'll endeavor to be discreet,k?
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Well, first of all, after not hearing from Social Security by the last week of March, I went to their office in Lancaster only to find out that I was not in the system anywhere to be found BUT the people at the Lancaster office have been awesome in getting things going for me and I am not in the system, will receive my Medicare card in about two weeks. Now I am just waiting for my Humana card. (our supplement). THEN I will be able to begin having tests and so on for my back. In the meantime, another health issue has developed which means I will be having a hysterectomy at the end of April, first of May. It is not cancer, thankfully. Some of my "parts" are not where they used to be, if you get my drift, and are now going to be removed....some of them....and others put back where they belong! *feeble grin* This has added to my back pain, let me tell you. BUT I press on! You know, I sometimes feel like I am in this battle to see just how much pain and discomfort it is going to take for me to give up, to quit. With the help of the Lord, I have only missed two services in the three years since having to quit work because of the debilitating back pain and problems. I am still able to do hair for my ladies, teach home bible studies, teach piano lessons, and do music at church and I would do more if I could but I have to admit that I am limited.......oh, and did the choir sing and worship tonight!! We sang "What A Change" by IBC! It was awesome!!
So, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!
We baptized Aaron tonight......a young man who comes to church through our outreach program that Bro. Cook helped us to start back in the fall. We have all just fallen in love with Aaron. His mother, grandmother and great-grandmother were there tonight to see him be baptized in the lovely name of Jesus and we prayed for his grandmother who has some serious health problems but we are trusting the Lord to heal her and do a wonderful work in her life!! It is so exciting to see the Lord working in our midst!!
I'll keep you posted and will endeavor to be more faithful to posting here. Some days, I just have to do what is necessary but I think of each of you, my blogging friends, and count it a blessing indeed to know you!!
Oh wait.....I almost forgot! It was SEVENTY-TWO sunny wonderful degrees today in our little valley!!! Spring is here and I am sooooo happy!! Everything is turning green and beginning to bud. How can I help but feel better,hm? I hope you are having wonderful weather where you are!!

Zachary Ross Gossom

Liz and Chris at The Lizness have a beautiful new baby boy named Zachary! Isn't he gorgeous!?! I just had to put up his little picture on my blog and share his preciousness with all of you!! God Bless!

Ellie, my faithful companion

Elllie and I have been spending quite a bit of time together as I have not been going out much. Sooooo, I have been able to capture some cute pictures of her as she meanders about the house. Well, sometimes she meanders. Other times, it sounds like a herd of buffalo coming through the house. Or she pads really heavily on the floor. That's the only way I know of to describe that particular way that she walks. At other times, you can't even hear her walking and then she usually gets stepped on and takes a swipe of our feet or maybe nips at us, thinking we MEANT to step on her. Sheesh. Anyway, the sound of her walking is dependent upon the mood she is in or the effect she is wishing to have on us.
In the picture above, Ellie is all tucked into my shoes just after I took them off when we got home from church. She loves our warm shoes! *smile*
In this picture (up there) she is sitting in the window soaking up the evening sunlight. She looks so pretty, hm?
Anddd in this one, she has managed to stuff her hairy, plump self into her shoe box and as you can see, she barely fits. I leave this shoe box there because she likes to rub against it, play with it and every once awhile cram herself into it for whatever reason. *grin*