Home Alone
February 15th, 2009 . by Joyce
It’s a very quiet Sunday evening here, as I am all alone in the house, with only our cats and faithful Lassie for company. The rest of my dear family is off to the evening worship service at church. I read portions from my Bible today, and the first four chapters of The Practice of Godliness by Jerry Bridges, but it’s just not the same as joining in the public worship of the Lord.
About once a year, it seems, my back goes ‘out’, to the point where my back muscles spasm when I sit, stand, or attempt to turn over in bed. I’m much better this evening, after resting in bed for two days. I made it slowly down the stairs a little while ago, warmed up a bowl of my son-in-law’s good knoefla soup, and am now doing this blog post.
The cause of the back trouble this time is a wrong lifting technique, I think. When I assist my elderly mom into the car when we go to her appointments, I first stand behind her as she is by the passenger door. Then I grab hold of her left pants leg, bending over a bit to lift that leg into the car. Then I sort of guide her as she falls into the seat. Next, I bend over and lift the right leg in and lift both legs further in. The next part is the killer. Facing backwards, I place my right knee by her as she is seated, reach under her arms, and lift her up and forward while pushing her sideways with my knee, in order to situate her comfortably on the seat.
My husband suggests that next time I try backing her up to the passenger seat, guide her as she falls into the seat, and then swivel her frontwards into position. This will be easier on the old back I hope.
In the mean time, I’ve had to cancel taking her out to an appointment tomorrow, as I doubt I can even drive. Hopefully my back will be healed enough to return to work on Tuesday.
During this quiet day, my family has taken turns bringing me oatmeal and coffee for breakfast, a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch, apple slices, and tea sweetened with sugar. Thank you, Sweeties!
Laura cooked a Sloppy Joe lunch for everyone when they returned home this afternoon from church, and I believe Rebecca and Lydia helped with the mega cleanup.
Rebecca told me, “The house is missing you,” meaning no one was emptying the garbage (She did it.), and we are out of bread, milk, half and half and coffee. Sigh! She and I had planned to do a Costco run yesterday, but it just couldn’t be helped.
Instead of shopping yesterday, I did the following:
- Slept off and on throughout the day. Why a hurt back should make one sleepy, I don’t know, but it does me.
- Read The No.1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith. He made me know that I would love the Botswana of Mma Precious Ramotswe. My friend Nancy at the middle school recommended this book to me. Thanks, Nancy! I am looking forward to reading Tears of the Giraffe, Morality for Beautiful Girls, and The Kalahari Typing School for Men.
- Read quite a bit more of Love & Logic Solutions for Kids With Special Needs by David Funk. One point he makes that really stands out for me is “the primary goal of both teaching and parenting is to get kids ready for when the adults are gone. This goal is important for nondisabled kids—it is essential for those with handicaps.” (page 147). “Amen” to that, but I have a lot to learn yet about actually doing this for kids who are so behind in their learning, and so non-engaged with their own lives.
Well, thanks for reading my wee lament. I look forward to getting up tomorrow without any problem and baking bread. Going grocery shopping would be a good idea, too. Tshüss!
Sorry to hear that you’ve been laid up with your back. I hope it heals quickly.
The Love and Logic book sounds facinating. We are working really hard to help our oldest move into those adult years and become more independent. It’s not such an easy task to do, and yet it is so vital.
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I can relate. I had a bad one, probably the first time and am so frightened it would get as bad again. I had to crawl into the van and found it awful to get up off the low toilet. Thankfully my chiropractor must have taken pity on me and told me how to support myself getting up and I use this often. I forgot what they said about turning over, something perhaps about bending a knee.
Anything not as bad I am so grateful for. However, being tall and having a low basin is sometimes a struggle. The first time I had ice and was advised to lie with a pillow under my knee while I was flat on my back.
I find nerves set mine off or something stressful like the last winge that breaks the camels back.
For Aussie’s your door lifting where you said right if I thought left I could picture it, as our drivers side is on the opposite side.
I read that book, and I didn’t like it as much as you, the African one. I do like the sound of Love & Logic. My son was in Early Intervention and thought deemed normal we are having trouble knowing how to help him pass his English.
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I think I put my hands on my knees to stand. I hope you get better quickly. Last time mine healed my quicker than I expected.
Lindas last blog post..Don’t Give Up ~ Kate Cebrano & Shannon Noll
I hope you’re feeling all better soon, Mark has a lot of problems with his back, I know how hard it can be.
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Joyce, so sorry to hear of your back ailments, they can be just about the most painful thing in the world. I was home from church all day too, Kim had a relapse of whatever is ailing her.
I have fond memories of Mma Ramotswe of the Number One Ladies Detective Agency. I can see Queen Latifa playing the part in the movie one day, at least I think it should be a movie. Fun books!!
Get well soon!!
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What a bummer back trouble is Joyce! I am sorry. Praying for a speedy recovery.
Thank you all so much for your well-wishes! I’m doing better today.
I hope you feel better soon. In the meantime get some serious reading done.
I’m glad you’re able to rest and that your family is taking such good care of you. Hope you’re feeling better by now.
Hugs and blessings,
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