Health Updates

[Twoapenny]

I'm sorry, Hops.  That kind of pain is horrible to deal with, especially when it restricts what you can do so much.  I'd be inclined to make that appointment anyway - if it does miraculously clear up then you can just cancel it if you don't need it anymore.

CBD cream on the area?  Might help a little (or oil straight on to the skin of you've still got some of that).  Would crutches or a stick help a bit?  Just for a wee while until it gets a bit stronger?  Are you taking any kind of pain relief for it, just to give you a bit of respite for a while?  I hope it starts to feel better soon, it's horrible when these things take so long to get better xx

[Hopalong]

Thanks, Tupp. I looooove sympathy!

I'm taking ibuprofen once or twice a day, often at night. Takes the edge off.

I'm not convinced anything topical will do a lot but I might rub some of my CBD oil on it to see what happens. Thanks for the suggestion. Also you're right, I could make an appt with a "joint doc" to see what's advised. Just hate going indoors at the moment though hospitals etc. should be safer than anywhere....

I do think a stick might make sense right now. I still have the Old Gent's cane in the trunk of the car, so that's probably a good idea. Anything to stabilize my walking so the knee doesn't just wobble back and forth. Thank you!

Already better.

Hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

You can have mountains of sympathy from me any time

Yes, I agree re the topical, might not do anything but equally can't hurt.  I'm a bit old hippy in my thinking and I just like rubbing stuff when something doesn't feel well, just the motion makes me feel like I'm looking after it and that just helps me a bit.

Docs here are doing phone or online consultations before accepting patients in the building so might be worth enquiring as to whether they can triage over the phone - maybe that from what you tell them they know there's nothing they can suggest other than what you're already doing (so frustrating when time is the only thing that will help!).  I share your concern re going inside but I'm kind of hoping the doctors stick to online or phone unless absolutely necessary to see someone, I've found dealing with son's medical matters much easier since we don't have to actually go in and see anyone.  Regardless - I hope something can be done/suggested and that it starts to feel better soon.  The cane sounds fancy   You could start wearing a top hat and pretending to be Ginger Rogers   Lol xx

[lighter]

Maybe a good knee brace to sturdy up the knee for a while, Hops?

Lighter

[Hopalong]

Good ideas, y'all.
I may do another Zoom with doc (or even just send him an email--he tracks the way I describe stuff really well and will fire off a short cogent reply).

I do wear a knee support of sorts--got two from old gent. One's just a stretchy elastic sock- like thing; the other is a little more substantial with velcro. But neither is rigid (or partly rigid) so that may be a next step--to get a really serious brace that will stabilize the knee nonstop. And neither may be quite the right fit for me, though he was a small old man and I figure our knees were maybe of a similar size.

It's easy to cheat (not put it on) when just doing a short walk in the house but probably not smart.

hugs
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

Doc may be able to tell just from a really good description of what you did to knee - the best way to treat at home. If you twisted it awkwardly - one thing; if you banged the knee cap hard; another. That kind of thing.

I re-injured the same knee I pulled something in, during middle school gymnastics. Yeah, I was so flexible & competitve I was a show-off. Paid for it too. Both times, slow intentional (ie, paying attention to how I moved; propriception) walking was how I helped it. But then, the first time I was still very young. Second time, not so young... and the one-legged stances of tai chi were impossible for longer than I wanted. I still don't trust that knee - or that ankle either. Good to go on my right leg. LOLOL.

[Hopalong]

Saw my doc this morning about a hard lymph node in my neck that hasn't changed for weeks (perhaps more). Anyway, he found another swelling on the other side I hadn't detected and I think he's thinking about cancer. He's not much of a poker face and didn't come up with other explanations except POSSIBLE: 1-some form of lymphoma or 2- some form of head or neck cancer.

I'm having a CT scan this afternoon. Wish me luck...

If it's bad news, I'll cope. My friend who died earlier this year had "chronic lymphoma" for years (I think non-Hodgkins) and until it came back strong a couple years back, she was able to work, travel and enjoy life anyway.

That might be a best-case hope but I'll be learning more whatever it is. My first thought when I got home was Pooch, and between M (who adores her and wants a dog) and another close friend, something will work out.

I've also been thinking of updating will/trust/Powers of Atty (health and financial) anyway, so made an appt with my attorney to do that in early November.

Mind's racing a little bit but I'm going to try to take one bit of information at a time. (Or not...since I'm already reading up.)

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

Hopsie, it goes without saying that we all hope very much that this isn't anything serious.  Very difficult to stop the mind from racing at a time like this so I hope they are able to give you more information soon and that you can tell us as soon as you hear something.  Thinking of you, keeping everything crossed and sending love and luck your way xx xx xx

[Hopalong]

Thanks, (((((Tupp)))))).

I really had a good day, despite the scan and doc and all.
Good friend called wanting to take me to lunch downtown and it was safe and gorgeous and I got to see my beloved Mall, hadn't since March. It's diminished, cafes wise, but not completely changed. We sat in the shade and talked our heads off and split a bottle of Turkish white wine, very yum.

Another friend called later and was very supportive and another friend is coming with her dogs in an hour, so I think gorgeous weather and people reaching out (before I told them all this stuff) just make me feel lucky and grateful and good.

Those feelings are good ones and I hope to tap into them often if weather (life or nature) turns dark. One never knows and I AM a lucky person--especially to be able to vent about everything here!

hugs
Hops

[Hopalong]

AAAAAND....my good dear doc called and the neck lumps fooled both of us!

The CT scan showed that they are anatomical oddities (when a tiny bone beneath makes an area feeling hard for some reason) that mean.....NOTHING!

It's nothing, it's nothing, it's nothing!! (Insert happy dancing emojis....)

In a way I'm grateful for the scare because it re-launched me into gratitude and joy and appreciation for so many things that were beautiful today during the scary wait:

the dear doc
an extraordinarily beautiful fall day
a patio lunch with a friend who really needed to get out
a recognition of how rich and fortunate I am in so many ways that matter

All in all, a little scare was like a positive spiritual adjustment. I needed that.

Thanks for listening to me worry, as y'all always so patiently do.

Much hugging,
Hops

[sKePTiKal]

AAAAaaaarrrrrggggghhhhhhh!

This is one time I'm glad I missed out on a series of posts and got the end-result in one reading. I am so happy this turned out to be nothing Hops. It's not been a terribly good day here so it helps your day turned out so well.

Hugs, dear.

[Hopalong]

Thanks, (((((Amber))))).
That's a very kind response.
(I'm kind of embarrassed about the false alarm here...such drama.)

I'm trotting right over to Farm Life to find out what's up.

hugs
Hops

[Twoapenny]

I'm so glad you got a good answer, Hops, and so impressed it was that fast!  That would take weeks here, I'm astonished that it all got done so quickly.  What a relief.  But also good that it brought good, nice things into focus as well, we all need that from time to time.  Keeping fingers crossed that there are no more health scares coming now xx

[lighter]

I'm so glad you're OK, ((Hops!))
Light

[Hopalong]

Thanks, Tupp and thanks, Lighter.

Well it was a strange way to have a joyful day,
but in some weird way it woke me up.

I urgently needed waking up and it really was a
good reminder of how grateful I am to be alive,
so how about living more consciously....

hugs
Hops