Sunday, June 12, 2022

It can only improve

I have barely blogged over the last six months. I think my output from flat on my back to rehab the broken fibula was higher than my current production. The truth is, it has little to do with producing towels and everything to do with pain.

My lower back has hurt for years, since I crushed T1 and 2, lifting a case of copy paper. I've come to terms with that; it slowed me way down, but never stopped me. I broke my tibia a few years ago. And both shoulders. And my fibula.  They merely added a cane to my repertoire.

What hurts now? This is such a cheap shot by my body that I am disgusted. The Iliotibial band in my right leg! Since I came back from rehab last December and started physical therapy, it hurts me so much I cannot swing my right leg. 

I've bounced from doctor to doctor like a pinball, trying to find answers and solutions. I've had three or four steroid injections. I've quit physical therapy; I'm only wasting their time and mine. At least I know the problem, thanks to the physical therapists. 

I have an appointment with a rheumatologist this week, because an orthopedic surgeon has pointed out a pocket of arthritis. And another appointment with a massage therapist, in hopes of freeing the ITB in my hip.

In the event you noticed the recurring theme of broken bones, yes, I have been diagnosed with brittle bone syndrome, probably inherited from my mother. Worse yet, it's been passed on to my oldest daughter, who, after several broken bones, was diagnosed with the same. 

I will ask for a new bone density test soon, after that horrid infusion of Reclast last March. Beth says if mine is improved, she'll take her doctor's advice to take Fosamax. So, end of the big whine. I want this to end and figure if I stand up and scream as my last resort, it will change.

In the meantime, I finally put my knitting ability back in gear and finished a pair of socks that have been languishing on the needle for two to three years. Actually, the first sock languished. I finished it last week, knit the second and immediately passed them along.

Why? Because my youngest granddaughter, Caroline, is going to college in the fall. In...Minnesota. I started a sweater for her, from a pattern I've used for ages.


It needs its sleeves begun much sooner, to eliminate so much underarm fabric, and probably made several inches shorter. Sweaters aren't that long these days.


Then I have these three skeins, looking like winter in Minnesota to me. This is a tossup. A nice rugby type, or a Nordic?


41 comments:

  1. Given all that you have on your plate you have blogged plenty. Pain is a soul sucker and I am very, very sorry it has moved in on you so thoroughly.
    And through all of this you continue to create. Kudos. Lots of it.

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  2. That yarn does remind me of chilly weather. Which is nice when it's pushing 100 degree heat outside of my window.

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  3. The socks were well received by the middleknitter, doon to be passed on. That sweater will be a great wardrobe addition for a Minnesota student.
    So sorry about the ongoing pain saga. You've done brilliantly despite everything.

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  4. Good luck to Caroline and yourself. Have you thought of knitting a top down sweater? They are perfect for this type of sweater. I can find you a pattern if you would like.

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  5. My dad was be patiently resigned to his gradual physical changes: "It's the ageing process" he used to say. I'm having to learn to accept it too now.

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  6. A hand knit sweater form a beloved Grandmother no matter what it looks like or what color is going to be a treasure forever, until moths get in...So sorry about your bone situation and the pain that you live with. That really sucks . something must be done, something good!!

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  7. I know Pain. He's been part of my life for a long time. He exhausts me.

    Love,
    Janie

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  8. Hari OM
    That's a very pretty pattern - and fine fall colours; Nordic for sure! Bugger about the pain, though... YAM xx

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  9. I have missed you, Joanne, and wish that your absence was due to something other than pain. I am so sorry. Just the relatively mild pain I suffer absolutely impacts my life and it seems a cruel joke upon us as we age.
    I have been doing a tiny bit of knitting the last few days and even though I have been doing it for almost fifty years, I am still horrible at it. I don't think that I have a natural ability to keep a constant tension. Perhaps a result of the wrist I broke when I was seventeen.
    Please let us know how your bone density test comes out. I am curious to know if these treatments help.

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  10. Fosamax does work. I know several people, including myself, that increased their bone density taking Fosamax. Many years ago, I took Fosamax for 6 months based on a PCP's recommendation. Later, my holistic MD recommended Calcium in the morning and Strontium Citrate at night to maintain a good bone density. Vitamin K-2 and D are also important for bone health. I tend to go outside the system to solve my health questions (dissatisfaction with care). Have you considered consulting with a chiropractor? They can be quite helpful and often offer a second opinion for solving problems. The sweater you are making looks beautiful and I love your choice for colors.

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  11. That is definitely a cheap shot by your body! :( I hope you can find something to alleviate the pain. Love the sweater colors and I vote for Nordic. I think you're doing a great job on the blogging and commenting. Give yourself lots of credit! xoxo

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  12. 6 weeks ago I was diagnosed with iliotibia syndrome. At times it's very painful and more so at night. I will be watching your posts to see if you find anything that treats it successfully.

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    1. When I read this post, you were the very first person I thought of, Red.

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  13. It’s so awful for you. My troubles seem small by comparison.

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  14. Oooh, a Nordic, I think, would look just great with the colors you've chosen.
    Considering the tremendous physical discomfort you've had to endure, I think your blogger output admirable!

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  15. Your endurance and perseverance are remarkable. How I wish you had some better pain management available to you. I saw the lovely socks you knitted over at Boud's blog this morning.

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  16. I'm sorry you are still having so much pain. I hope the doctors can come up with some way to help. A hand knit sweater is a perfect gift for your granddaughter especially since she will be in Minnesota.

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  17. The one thing you can never take away from you Joanne is a brave spirit and I hope you get some relief from the pain. Love the sweater, it is a pretty colour.

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  18. Nordic. Always Nordic. For me anyway. It's a very nice sweater pattern (we call them jumpers) and I always prefer them on the longer side. I hope your bone density has improved and hope your daughter takes the treatment anyway, since it might be more effective from a younger age.

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  19. That is a very classy looking sweater - personally I like the tweedy brown in the middle, it’ll look warm (and cuddly) just right for those cold winters.
    My mother gifted me her spinal arthritis…..she’d occasionally have a moan telling us we didn’t know what it felt like……thank you ma, now I do!

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  20. Agree about the wool. As for arthritis - I am more or less riddled with it but at least it is osteo and not rheumatoid.

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  21. It's a tough slog every day I am sure, being housed in a body like that. You demonstrate amazing fortitude.

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  22. Oh, Joanne, how I wish for you to be pain free. I had IT band problem once and the thing that helped was laying on my side on a firm foam roller (like a rolling pin, but larger) and rolling up and down. It hurt like crazy when I first started, but over time became easier. I doubt that will be what is recommended for you, as it was pretty tough to get in that position on the floor for me, ten or so years ago. However, I do hope you are provided with something that will help! -Jenn

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    1. In physical therapy, the PT's used a huge rubber roller on my leg and in an hour could relieve most of the pain--for a couple of days. I wish I could get down on the floor! I'm going to see a massage therapist to get the job done.

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  23. I hope the new doctor will help you. You’ve had a rough go of it for a long time. Pain must be a way of life.

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  24. I am impressed that despite your pain, you are determined to keep busy and be productive. When you are not weaving, you pick up your knitting! Hope you find the answers and can get relief from the pain soon.

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  25. I too like the yarn colors! As for PT, I know it works for many, but I too quit when it seemed to make another condition worse. Sometimes we need to know what works and doesn't work for us.

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  26. I am in awe of your will to overcome. You should bottle that stuff and sell it. As you know I also have osteoporosis and refuse the medication for it but then I haven't had any bones break. Unless the Reclast works different, which I don't believe it does, those meds do make your bones denser by preventing old weak bone mass from breaking down. Denser but not necessarily stronger. But whatever gets you through. The only arthritis I suffer is in the base my thumbs which make it difficult to open new jars and bottles or to grasp anything with strength.

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  27. I googled ioliotibial band syndrome and that just sounds awful. I am so sorry this has befallen you.

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  28. So sorry your pain is increasing. At 68, I'm feeling old injuries becoming constant pain. Not sure Physical Therapy is gonna help me; hope I can get the pain to go away since i can't take NSAIDS anymore to protect my kidney labs. You are the angel of endurance! Linda in Kansas

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  29. I am glad you share about such things as I too find pretense an energy vampire. It's far less stressful to be truthful. So very sorry about your brittle bones. What a bummer!
    You amaze me with your creative output.
    XO
    WWW

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  30. So sorry for your pain! Why is it that it always seems to be worse at night? If I can sleep, I seem to be able to handle things better. I hope the knitting will be a good distraction and I love the colors you have chosen. My daughter always hated the clothes I made her, thinking "store bought" to be superior when she was striving to be just like her friends. To this day she is a name brand snob. Her daughter, on the other hand, is the child of my heart. Such a talented and lovely girl and so unassuming. I taught her to sew when she was 10 and every visit I made to MN to visit all my children would end up with Layal and I mending everyone's clothes. She told her mother that the items of clothing I made her were more valuable to her because she knew I was thinking of her when I made them and that I sewed my love into them. She will be a college senior next year at the university of Minnesota. Has never been off the dean's list. I love her so much!

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  31. Oh, poor you. Having brittle bones must be so exhausting - in every way. A life free of pain would be good. As you say, it has to get better in one way or another.

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  32. You know I am so very sorry about the bones. Blogging...you know I check in here every day in hopes of words of wisdom. I wish I could free both of us from these pains.

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  33. Oh dear, brittle bone syndrome on top of everything else. That's too bad. I don't know what to say except I hope you can relieve some of the pain.

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  34. Stand up and scream as often as you like.

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  35. Dear Joanne - so sad to read of all your pain and not being able to do something else but sending you my good wishes!!!

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  36. So sorry to hear about all of your pain and discomfort, Joanne. I surely hope that you can find some relief soon. Take care.

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