Gettin' Old

I have scheduled yet another surgery, for Dec 11th. This is one that I had always sworn I would never have, but here I go. I have been having increasing trouble with my lower back and pain across my hips, sciatica, etc and some numbness in my right leg and food and I'm beginning to develop some weakness. Thought that the arthritis and osteoporosis had done there dirty deed, but the spinal specialist shows me on the MRI that I have a piece of bone missing on one vertebrae that is allowing (causing?) it to slip over the one below it, narrowing the spinal canal and pinching nerves in the process - ergo pain and other symptoms. Disc is slightly flattened, but still "in place". Doc and then the surgeion, assure me that I will have good results and ten to fifteen years before there would be any "creeping spine" stiffness or difficulties. Sure hope so!
I am to the point now that I cannot cook a meal unless I sit on a stool to do it, shopping and standing in line at the store leaves me nearly in tears and I can't walk for more than five minutes without severe pain. My extra weight doesn't help any, but without being able to move around, it is next to impossible to shed an ounce. I can say that I am a little tired of having to use my vacation times for surgical recovery! I hope to be back at work Jan 5th or so, perhaps half-time for a couple of weeks.
This does handle one dilemma, what to do for Christmas. Fortunately we had all the kids and grandkids last year, so I won't have to worry about entertaining the troops. I also won't have to "pick" which house to go to. I have a very good reason to have a quiet Christmas at home with Ernie, Sarah and myself. Perhaps the two sons in the Bay area will drive over for a day or two as well. I'm giving checks this year, smallish ones at that. Hmmm, I wonder if Sarah and Ernie will set up the artificial tree and decorate the house?
The paperwork required of the Social Workers at the office has nearly doubled in the two years I have been there, leaving absolutely no time to "do nothing" and not enough time to actually have counseling sessions with the boys. All this in the name of $$ to stay in business. I plan on one more year at this rate, then I think I'll downscale our living and retire!
It seems like it has been years since I've heard from my online pals or since I've visited a blog. Thanks for stoppiing by, and I promise to visit yours ASAP. Peace.