DESPITE INTENSE NECK & SHOULDER PAIN, IBS ATTACK, TEMPS OUTDOORS IN THE 20'S, I MADE IT TO FAMILY CHRISTMAS DINNER!

December 26, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

For several days before Christmas, I have had severe pain in the back of my neck and shoulders.  I took Aleve which eased the pain for a short period of time.  I am not a weepy person but I was in such pain, I cried almost constantly for several days.  Finally, Tam remembered a cream that had helped her when she had a bad crick in her neck.  We tried it and it helped a lot.  It is Voltaren Gel which I had forgotten my doctor had given me some samples to try.  We used what we had here and then asked my doctor to call in a prescription.  It is expensive but worth the cost.  My pain is about gone now.

I still had some pain Christmas day but Barry drove us to my sister, Jeannette's house to share Christmas dinner with her and her family.  The dinner was delicious and was prepared by Jeanette's daughter, Charlene and Charlene's son, Dusty.  We visited a while until I was tired and in some pain, before returning home.  We didn't want any supper but Barry prepared a bowl of grits for me and he ate a small serving of chicken noodle soup.  We were both tired and went to bed early.

Tam took a few days off for the Christmas holiday.  As I write this, I am looking forward to seeing her tomorrow.  I miss my shower baths among all the other reasons why she is so special to me.  She had earlier in the week brought the pictures from my family gallery on my sitting room wall, and they are beautifully framed and matted.  Two large frames show off a collage of family pictures.  Barry has only partially hung the pictures on the wall.  He needs more hooks for the frames.  He is also a procrastinator and will take his time hanging the pictures.  But, he will do a good job when he finally hangs the pictures.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

December 20, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

For the first time since I was a newly-wed in 1947, I haven't sent Christmas cards to relatives and friends.  I wanted to send a lot of cards but my lack of stamina prevented my plans.

Barry and I have tentative Christmas plans dependent on my health, which I'll share with you after Christmas.

I hope each of you have a happy Christmas day.  See you next time.  (As told to Tam)

THOUGHTS ON MY 86TH BIRTHDAY

December 12, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

In my last post, I told about going to my doctor's clinic and she said I was losing my good bacteria and probiotics would help put them back.  Meanwhile, I am still having severe pain in my stomach at times but am continuing to take the probiotics, and pray I will improve soon.

Despite the pain, I had a good birthday on December 10th.  Barry posted on Facebook about my birthday, and I received a bunch of computer messages wishing me a Happy Birthday.

Tam gave me the gift I had requested; a picture of herself I could display in my gallery of family pictures on the wall of my sitting room.  She gave me a beautiful photograph that her daughter-in-law Angela took of her.  Barry and I think Tam's facial features in the picture reflect her Indian heritage.  Tam also took all the other pictures in my gallery home with her.  She plans to make them "look pretty" with matting and new frames.  Tam also brought a small decorated Christmas tree for my sitting room, which is very pretty.

My sister, Jeanette, sent me, as usual, a funny birthday card.  Tam, Barry and I had a good laugh when we looked at the card.  Our friend, Kym, gave me a delicious miniature birthday cake which I'm still enjoying.

Some of you may enjoy looking at Tam's new Facebook page.  If you haven't discovered it, she is listed as Tambra Little.

Barry's birthday is December 14th (yes, he was my birthday gift that year), and he's on Facebook, too.

I pray I'll feel better during the Christmas holidays this year.  Barry says my good and bad bacteria are having a battle in my gut.  I hope my good bacteria will win.  I am also eating yogurt.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)

BARRY'S THANKSGIVING DINNER DELICIOUS & DOCTOR STARTS ME ON TREATMENT FOR STOMACH DISTRESS

December 2, 2013

By Olivene Godfrey

Son, Barry's Thanksgiving dinner was delicious.  He had planned the dinner while shopping for groceries.  I am so proud of him as he roasted the turkey and prepared the side dishes, without any assistance from me.  And, all of the dishes were ready at the same time, a sign of a good cook, I think.  I shouldn't have been surprised as Barry is a smart fellow, if I do say so myself.

Last week Tam drove me to my primary care doctor's clinic for a routine check-up.  The doctor spent some time with me and talking to Tam about my condition.  For some time, I've had pain from my stomach bloating.  The doctor said I had lost all of my good bacteria and pro-biotics will help put them back.  My diet has been very restricted for some time because when I eat other foods, such as fruit, I have severe pain in my stomach.  The doctor said I should be able to eat other foods, so I hope this treatment will be effective and that I'll be able to eat a varied diet soon.

As I write this early Monday morning, I am waiting for Tam, I have missed her very much.  I am also looking forward to seeing her so I can take a shower.  Since I fell in the shower awhile back, Barry doesn't want me to shower without Tam being in the bathroom with me.  The sponge baths I've had the past few days just aren't the same as a shower bath.

See you next time.  Comments welcome.  (As told to Tam)