Mom's Diagnosis

Mother saw the doctor today and it was a relief to learn that they found out what's wrong. She has two problems.

1. Polymyalgia rheumatica (meaning “pain in many muscles” in Greek), or PMR, is an inflammatory condition of the muscles, which causes pain or stiffness, usually in the neck, shoulders, and hips. She will be treated with cortizone (pill form Prednisone) and will probably need to take it for a year.

2. Bulging disks in her lower back. The doctor has prescribed specific physical therapy that will, hopefully, relieve the back pain. If not, surgery might be a possibility in the future.

I'll be on the phone tomorrow trying to set up caregivers to come in during the day and to find a place where this particular therapy is done.....hopefully on this side of town.

The RV shelter is coming along. It's turned out that Ed is building it himself and Mike Stroop, a friend from church, has helped quite a bit. One of these days, we'll be flying to Florida to get our dear motorhome and tow car.

Flat-out Like a Lizard Drinking Caring for Mom

.......that's what they say in Australia when someone's super busy! In this case, I'm referring me being busy and to Mother (age 82) being flat-out.

(I'm prejudiced because she's MY mom but, isn't she pretty?)

Mother had gotten along pretty well after her sprained hip ordeal in late March. Her doctor sent home health therapists who really helped her. She had even driven herself to the Wellness Center for her water aerobics class.

But, last Saturday this pain started in her lower back. Her doctor sent her for bloodwork and an MRI. He says it's not sciatica. He mentioned a pinched nerve but I am wondering if it could be a hernitated disc......this is her 9th day in pain. If she stays still, flat in bed, she feels OK but the slighted movement brings on such pain and those type spasms that "grab" you and are so strong they take your breath away.

We'll call the doctor first thing tomorrow and hopefully the MRI will show something! She can't keep on this way.

Anyway, one of the purposes of this post is to explain why I've gotten behind on my email responses. Ed's making some progress on the RV shelter.....got siding on the large wall and a small section of roof installed yesterday. I'm busy with Mother's care and sneaking out to garden as much as possible!

More later.....