Ellis Health Update - 171127

I Did a one-mile walk on 18 Nov, about 0.75 plus a visit with Angel on 19 Nov and a mile again on 20 Nov.

I am still getting by almost pain free with three Tylenols per day, bedtime, around mid-morning (when needed) and about 1600. I usually only feel pain when I put significant pressure on my rib cage. I have no pain when I breath deeply and I can raise my arms above my head without any significant amount of pain.

On the 21^st, I worked on the truck, trying to charge the battery with a new charger until I tired myself out and did not walk at all. The next day I walked in the morning and then worked on the truck with George Everman in the afternoon, cleaning a corroded terminal and attempting to jump-start it. We finally called AARP Motoring for assistance. They showed up about 40 minutes later, started the truck and told us part of the problem was a loose gear shift mechanism that interrupted the circuit. While the truck was running we delivered it to the dealer and left it to be serviced next week.

It is now Monday, the 27^th of November and I have walked a mile each day since the 21^st, varying my route part of the time to climb a slightly more difficult hill. The walks leave me exhausted and I always take a long nap afterward. Oh, for the days only last year when I could hike 10 to 15 miles and then rough out my report before retiring.

At least the days have been sunny for my walks and I have paused along the way to enjoy the fall colors, or at least what passes for fall colors in our neighborhood. The below photograph shows local color at about its best.

 Fall colors in the neighborhood

At times the scrub oaks and the maples, nestled in the folds of Mingus Mountain, shown in the background of the above photograph, display some delightful colors. The photograph shown below, taken from the top of Mingus during an October 2013 hike, is an example.

Taken while hiking South Mingus Tadpole Loop (9 miles;2493 foot ascent)

Shortly after today's post-walk nap the repair shop called to tell me that my truck would be ready tomorrow. They had to replace the battery and do some work on the brakes. Since I am still not allowed to drive, they will deliver the truck when it is ready.

Ellis Health Update - 171116

It is Tuesday, 14 November and I am beginning to think I was too sanguine about the speed of recovery from surgery. I basically stopped taking my pain medications on a regular basis about three weeks ago and for several days I did just fine. However, I am now having trouble sleeping at night. Although I have no significant pain while sitting still, my right rib cage is very tender and it is quite painful when I turn the wrong way in bed, I cannot find a comfortable sleeping position and have slept little for the last several nights. I haven't been for a walk since last Saturday and don't feel up to doing one today.

It is now Thursday 16 November and I am feeling better. I restarted taking Gabapentin for nerve pain and, for the last two nights, Rosemary has rubbed my back and chest with Aspercreme at bedtime. I am also taking a Tylenol before going to bed. I saw Doctor Howland today and she said that I am still recovering nicely. I don't know whether it was because of the changes in medication or the encouraging words from the doctor, but I am now feeling much better; I even went for a one-mile walk this afternoon.