Seeking Comfort

52°f, raining, overcast. This may be as warm as it gets today.

 

This is my couch, and also where I have been sleeping thr past two weeks. What a welter of pillows-- and that is not all of them, as the three larger ones are on my recliner, where I vacated to this morning,  trying to get comfortable. 

That's the icing machine on the floor. It's basically a small cooler with a recirculating pump.  The blue hose attaches to an ice pack kind of thing that straps over my knee, and the ice water runs through it. It helps, some.

But sleep is elusive, because pain of one sort or another has me awake and trying to find a comfortable position over and over, all night. I can't get up in our bed yet, and honestly, sleeping with my bad knee next to my husband isn't an attractive option. So the couch it is. I move pillows here and there, prop up or don't prop, sit up, walk around...you get the idea.  Absolutely zero fun, and I have come to dread nights.

At least part of the problem was identified at physical therapy yesterday: the sciatic nerve in that leg. It is causing a lot of the pain I am having, especially during pt or when trying to sleep. Knowing the cause of the burning pain and muscle spasms helps because now I use ice packs on my leg and hip too. A regular Ice Woman! I go for my follow-up appointment today, so I will have questions for her about what else I can do to be able to do the therapy with less pain.

Still, the knee itself is moving right along and I would be almost pain- free if not for the sciatica. So that is encouraging.  

Yesterday after my 8:15am pt session, we stopped at our friend Shari's new business location for her Grand Opening. The mayor was there along with TV and the newspaper. She was surprised to see us, and gave me the biggest hug. I do hope she does well. We were regulars at her old place, often meeting up with friends for happy hour and relaxing conversation.  The happy hour will have to be alcohol free for us in future.  Wobdering how Larry will like that. Not much is my guess.

We only stayed a few minutes, then drove into town for breakfast at a small local restaurant called Tudor's Biscuit World.  Until recently the biscuits were made by a 93-year-old woman who arrived to make them at 4:00am every day. She retired last month, but trained her replacement well, because the biscuits are still perfect. And they are the perfect comfort food.

I was surprised and delighted to find my son Derek, his 3 daughters and 2 grandchildren there. Totally unplanned! Nothing like good hugs from family for comfort. 

Larry ordered me biscuits and gravy (an Appalachian staple), 2 eggs and bacon. It was the most i have eaten since my surgery and was delicious. 

We came home and drove upbto Sarah's cabin to see the progress made during her visit this time. It looks great; all windows and doors in and weather-tight, spray insulation done, solar lights and power working well, and she has done a lot of outside cleanup too. Next on her agenda is plumbing.

Then finally we were back to the house and my ice machine. I have to admit,  I did little else the rest of the day. I did make a cherrynpie from my canned filling and a pre-made crust, and finished another Maisie Dobbs book, but that was about it. Then another restless, sleepless night. Now it is time for the hour drive to my appointment,  but after Sarah and Tommy come down to make breakfast! 

Copyright Susanna Holstein. All rights reserved. No Republication or Redistribution Allowed without attribution to Susanna Holstein.