Well, it happened. My first cortisone shot. Yesterday. I'd heard bits of not-so-pretty stories about getting poked (and not in a good way). My lower back has been a mess for about five days now and off and on for six or seven years. The shot helped a bit. But not completely. I've been sleeping with those pain patches on my lower back along with a nice bout of Flexerill and Vicodin. I have a sinking feeling that my lower-back pain will be with me for the second half of my life. Which begins.......now.
Our beautiful niece arrives Friday for her very first visit by herself. And her first airplane ride by herself. She's 12 and quite a nice young lady. We're looking forward to treating her to a little shopping time, Easter egg dying, a nice dinner out, and just a bit of time for her to breathe a little after the hell she's gone through.
It was 14 years ago today that my father died. It's one of those days that you don't soon forget. I loved him so much. He taught me many lessons about how to live my life. With smiles, good attitudes, and hard work. I'm afraid I've got a lot to live up to. If you're totally bored and need a real tear-jerker or new perspective, check out the series that I did one year ago to him. I swear, I still remember his lessons and the way he lived out his life today. What an impact! I often wonder if I'm making the same one on my own world. I'm afraid I've got work to do.
Spring begins tomorrow. I do have to say, I've enjoyed this winter quite a bit. There's just something enticing about the dark trunks of trees and their squiggly branches against a dark gray winter sky. And the quietness of the earth. Without the revelry of warm days and easy weather. I know that many of you are seriously ready for even one day without snow piled up deep. It's been a long winter for many. Today is as good as any to start over. Fresh commitment to a family member or friend, new energy for the projects that seem to always be on the back burner of life. Believe me, I'm right there with you. And, so, we begin a new season. I wonder what it will hold.
38 comments:
Best wishes that the shot help to relieve the back pain!! It is not fun.
Enjoy your niece.
You honor your father's memory by making your own (positive) impact on so many around you, including us your readers.
Wow. Fourteen years. I'm fortunate to have known him. And you are very much like the man I remember. Gentle, good, and very kind.
Good news about your back Lewis, I hope the shot helps. Have a great time with your niece, I can't wait until mine are old enough to visit without their parents.
Man, could you be any sexier?
So wish your niece could have known
him. You are soooo going to have
fun when she gets there!
Nice photo. I am so sorry to hear about your back pain, no fun, as you well know. Glad you were able to get some help. Poor lamb.
How fun, I adore my niece also. She is about that age too.
Loosing loved ones is never easy.
I too am ready for spring and summer.
I hope that the cortisone shots actually improve over time and that it is NOT any sign of age settling in or that you're over the hill. Today has been a day of somber discoveries on my mother's birthday. The biggest "irk" being the start of the war in Iraq. It was also somber to note that quite a few of the commenters from those three posts dedicated to your father are no longer actively blogging or still around.
Has it been another year already? I didn't realize we've known each other so long. Well, I know I already said this last yer, but your tribute was very beautiful.
I hope the shots help your back feel better. It might take a few for the relief to really come. Rodney used to get those for his foot and after a series of them, he's in really good shape :)
I hope your niece enjoys her plane trip and has an enjoyable Easter with her uncles :)
That pic of you is adorable. Such a nice smile to welcome spring!
Yeah...I can't really comment about your post, because I couldn't get past that hottie in the photo.
Yesterday was my grandma's birthday...she died nearly six years ago. I remember a lot of dates and events.
Sending good thoughts your way just 'cause.
Hope the back feels better soon. :)
I don't know much about losing loved ones, though I get an idea from my grandmother who is now in the last stages of liver cancer and is progressively deteriorating. The family can't cope with it just yet, since there are too many good memories to suddenly have it snatched away. We're trying though, but it's just rough.
Hey, did the cortisone shots help? Hope it does!
Sending hugs your way for both your back and for the memories of the loss of your dad. And don't worry...you're making an impact in the world. By merely BEING, we are all impacting the world. Your niece is living proof of that.
Wow, I remember reading that, a year passes so fast! Hope the back gets better, is surgery an option?
It sounds dreadful, I have my own back issues and know how painful it can be. Vicodin and Flexeril? I'll bring my Valium and Darvocet and when I'm out there and we can get together and play "Valley of the Dolls". Ha!! Don't forget the vodka!!
Happy Vernal Equinox, Lewis.
I had a cortisone injection in my neck a couple years ago, and within a week, it provided much needed relief. Good luck with yours.
hey again, there was a segment on the today show about curing back pain without surgery... i heard cortisone but didn't catch much of it except the end, you may want to check out their website... just sayin'...
Locate a good chiropractor skilled in spinal decompression--essentially your lower spine will be "stretched"--allowing for relief and healing. Beats surgery and all the meds.
Wow... I read the links in this post regarding your sister and your father. All of them more moving than I could distill in a comment...
I bet your niece will have a great time with you! Easy on that back! ;) It is a real bugger to co-exist with chronic back pain!
Warm wishes...
that was a nice post
You have a cheerful smile.
good luck on the back; i shudder at the notion of a bad back. please take care of yourself.
i don't think we ever really get over the loss of a loved one, but love is always a present emotion, never a 'past'.
i hope spring is a lovely one for you and yours.
I hope the shots are working for your back, and I hope that this spring goes by much slower than last year. We barely had time to enjoy it before the summer heat poured in.
Lewis Lewis Lewis!
Sorry to hear about the back pain. I've had sporadic back pain since my my early 20's. Later I learned I had a perforated disc but seems everyone has one? I have a flare up once a year it seems.
Vicodin has never done squat for me. I never understood what people were addicted to? M&M's yeah but Vicodin?
I like the new pic at top. I want to go there and Banf(?) Springs.
Hope your better soon.
Hey Lewis!
Wow, feeling philosophical much? ;-)
I've had a horrible winter. Nothing but rain and storms and bad dates... Hopefully spring will be better.
Hope your back will be better soon! Some unsolicited advise: I'd stay away from the steroids! They don't help much...
Your niece sure is lucky to have such a cool uncle!
Hope the back pain goes away soon!
Hey handsome...Sorry to hear about your backpain-- hope it gets better ( I think a good massage is in order)..My dad passed last Thursday...I have been in and out of a coma myself the last week over it.....I havent even mentioned it on my blog as I dont know where to start...All I know is I trully njoy reading your blog and thanks for being a good read- Always!
Hi Lewis:
I know the back pain issue. I've done the patches, had the shots (mine didn't help). I went through a 4 week intensive outpatient chronic pain program at the Rehab Institute of Chicago 5 years ago.
Feel free to hit me up on my site, I can give you some of the things that have helped me.
My partner had a shot [epidural] in his back and it took a few weeks to really grab a hold of the pain, but in the end did the trick.
Hugs baby doll,
kb
ugh! We got another 4 inches of snow! Glad someone is getting spring!
And knottyboy is right. The shots take a while to fully work.
Will pray for you...Happy Easter!
hope that shot helps ya. I have sympathy pains for you Lewis.
My dad died 22 years ago and I still think about him all the time. ::sigh::
This is such a good picture of you. Awesome. I'm off to New Zealand, won't be updating my blog for about a month!! See you in April.
Hope your back pain gets better!
And a big hug for you! I loved my dad very much also and totally understand your feelings.... HUG!!
Hey Lewis,
being a great Uncle is important - I'm trying hard to do that myself. I'm guessing there'll come a moment when the kid needs someone close to turn to, but who doesn't come with the parental judgmental baggage - and I'm hoping they'll be the ones to look after me when I get old and ga-ga (i should be so lucky). Ha ha. Ever the altruist.....
Anyway, what ireally wanted to say was that I see the first signs of spring this year and I have high hopes. I'm planning a big year, with good things going on. I wish you lots for this year too.
Awee how sweet...We just celebrated my Mother's 60th on Saturday and my niece & nephew were there (My brother & his wife recently divorced so they are living quite a distance away) and it was wonderful to see them, so I know you will have a blast!
Back pain, is something I am not looking forward to but feel that it will happen. I am alread starting to feel it! Sorry it is causing you so much discomfort.
It's good that you still think about your Dad, after such a long time, it shows that he had great impact in your life and left a lasting impression, thats wonderful.
hugs to you both and enjoy the coming season!
Wonderful post, Lewis. It's inspiring to hear your optimism and ability to start fresh, even with the back pain. I loved the series on your father, and am sending hugs to you!
Lewis, I am so sorry that you are in so much pain. Yep, I had to do the pain patch stuff too, so I can definitely relate.
Mega hairy muscle hugs of love and wishing you pain free days and nights.
Stay well, hottie hunk.
P.S. Dad's play such an important part of our lives. I can feel my Dad's spirit when I'm attempting and/or completing a particular project. They always remain in our lives.
Hey doll, how was Easter with the niece? Hope you had/are having a wonderful visit. Bless her.
And how's the back? I hope the cortisone is making a positive difference.
Take care, dear. I miss you.
Hope your back is feeling a bit better. OUCH on the shot, though. :(
And the wonderful thing about my 12-year old niece is that we're both loving glittery graphic T-shirts right about now!
14 years seem like a long time Lewis, but love is stronger than time, and it transcends death.
I hope your back feels better soon enough. Take great care of yourself my friend. xoxo
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