REACHING FOR FIVE STARS

             

 I know I’ve written about how I choose what kind of day to have, what kind of attitude to have, what kind of life I want to have. But, it’s not always just that easy. Sometimes it’s so hard to make a positive choice. Sometimes, it almost seems as if making a choice isn’t possible.

          Currently, (Friday morning) I’m having excruciating pain in my left hip/buttock. I have no idea why this is happening aside from it being another symptom of old age. I’m trying to be proactive about the problem. I’ve researched how long hip replacements are supposed to last; and apparently, mine should be good for another fifteen years if not more.

          Years ago, I saw a spine doctor. My lower spine, i.e., the vertebrae and disks between them are in the process of degenerating, probably due to arthritis. This doctor told me I could have injections to help with the problem; however, I decided I wanted to put that treatment off as long as possible…guess that long as possible has arrived.

          I’ve emailed my doctor asking for a referral back to the spine doctor since I couldn’t find him on my list of providers…guess it’s been too long and he’s fallen off. I don’t know what she’ll say…probably get a response from someone else and likely that someone else may not have English as a first language and not understand my request…my experience with the last two emails I’ve sent.

          In any case, it will probably be weeks, or even months, before I’m seen by anyone unless I want to walk into Urgent Care and spend a day waiting for someone to see me, provide a diagnosis and schedule some form of treatment. Being an HMO member doesn’t always provide care when you want it, but regardless, I think the entire health industry works just that way.

          Besides whining here, I’ve done all my home physical therapy/exercises, eaten my breakfast, gone through my emails and made an online visit to my health provider. All that accomplished, it’s time to get up off this chair and begin my day. I’ve lots of stuff to do, i.e, tidy up the house, clean up the kitchen, make a dish for this afternoon’s potluck, make a huge salad for myself before the salad makings go bad, and clean up the kitchen again. This is all before I get myself dressed and ready to attend this afternoon’s retirement party.

          Unfortunately, most of the above efforts will require my standing up and that will make the pain very prevalent. I suppose I’ll be interspersing the work with trips to lean against my heating pad. That helps some, but I’d give almost anything for a good pain medication. I have some very old Percocet, but I don’t think it will be of any help with this problem.

          So, I’m choosing to have as good a day as possible…maybe not a five-star day, but the sun is shining, I’m alive, and have a party to attend…time to be positive and reach for at least four stars.