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Friday, November 9, 2018

My Aching Back

Oh my gosh! Diggin around in a box of pictures, looking for some chicken pictures... This is me. The Henny Penny in person, in 2001 I think it was, modeling one of my first bonnet creations. How time flies! Was even wearing my wide wedding band back before the crazy arthritis in my fingers.   

Hey friends,

and back to reality...This has been a "limping around" week with an aching back, doctor appointments, steroid injection, bone density scan, reaction to cortisone with burning red face and high blood pressure, and if that's not enough, two doctors firmly suggesting that I consent to taking the Prolia injection for my osteoporosis. Other than that, it has been a pretty good week. 

Friends, I am afraid of the Prolia injection. Could any of you offer any advice, or encouragement? It would sure be appreciated. What to do? What to do?

and, outside...

This has certainly not been the best year for beautiful fall colors...not in our area!



We are seeing a little color, but lots of the trees have brown dead leaves or the trees are bare. Come to think of it, all of 2018 has been unusual, as far as our weather is concerned.


and peeking through the last of the roses, there are touches of color in the trees.



and we could see our first hard freeze next week...down to 29 degrees.

Not much of a post here. Guess I had better fill a feed bucket and hit the door. Hope to be back real soon.

Love,
Henny


63 comments:

  1. HaHa! I had to laugh...When l read the top bit...
    'This is me. The Henny Penny in person'...I read
    it as..'This is me. The Henny Penny in prison...! :).
    Hang on..I need a lemon tea...!!! :).

    I was diagnosed with Cervical Spondyosis some 10 years
    ago, sounds bad..just arthritis..in the neck, on set
    from my dancing years, and being a drummer in a band,
    l could literally rotate my head like an owl..360 degrees,
    not life threading..never~the~less not good, so l've come
    to the point a years ago..that no more could be done, if l
    should feel unwell, faint, fall down..dial 999..our emergency
    services..! In the meantime, l take a few pills, rub various
    creams on me neck..and that's that! HeHe! So l'm a pain in
    the neck..so to speak, though l don't suffer any pain!
    And..talking of pain, arthritis and such..can l recommend
    'UDDERMINT' it's what they rub on cows before milking, or
    calving down..Google it..you can buy the human one..l think
    it's called 'Mint Media'..But the Uddermint is suitable for
    human use, it says so on the bottle..Try it..! :).

    Arthritis is a horrid thing, and can develop into all sorts
    of things..l for example have no cartilage between my 2~3~4
    vertebrae...If l swivel my head, l could write a tune to the
    creaking...HeHe!

    In the Kitchen with Arthritis:~Foods to Avoid
    1) Processed foods. Avoid processed foods such as baked
    goods and prepackaged meals and snacks....
    2) Sugar....
    3) Red meat and fried foods....
    4) Refined grains. ...
    5) Cheese and high-fat dairy....

    And, the biggest tip of all...Bananas are good for arthritis..! :).
    But..Don't forget to take the skins off first....! :o) 😼 🐾🐾🐾

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    1. Thank you for this Willie! Arthritis is horrible! I'll have to look for that 'Mint Media'. We do have a couple kinds of cremes here for arthritis. Sure sorry about your neck pain. My mother had arthritis in her neck and I remember the pain she had. Oh, I love bananas, but leaving off the sugar is the hardest thing for me. Thank you!

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  2. Oh my, that one paragraph of words was quite scary! I do hope you will be feeling better soon. The same goes for our yard...we had an early winter like weather in the beginning of Autumn and everything froze. We missed having any pretty fall like colors. What leaves are left on the trees are curled up and brown. We have already had some single digit temperatures; I feel for all the little birds and critters outside.

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    1. Thank you! I dread the freezing weather. I put out two new suet cakes yesterday for the birds.

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  3. I have never heard of the Prolia injection so I googled it. I don't blame you for being afraid to take it! Although, I'm sure they list every possible side effect no matter how small the risk, to cover themselves from law suits. We took a drive up north into Indiana last weekend to see some fall color and it was beautiful. We don't have much color here either. You look so pretty in your bonnet picture! Hope you start feeling better. Take it easy this weekend! Molly says hi!

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    1. I know Diane. It's those side effects that scare me. We sure wanted to drive up to the NC mountains this fall to see the leaves but looks like we have waited too long. Maybe next year. Thank you Diane...and will you hug sweet Molly for me?

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  4. I watch the commercials on tv for medications and the side effects sound worse than what they're supposed to treat, so I would be very cautious about taking any of them.
    No leaf changing here.

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    1. That's the truth. My doctor said yesterday that he hates those ads. He also said don't believe all that you read on the internet. :) Thank you Janet.

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    1. Oh goodness, hope we don't get snow for another month or two. :)

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  6. Our fall colors are reaching their peak as of late.

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    1. Seems like NC and SC are late every year getting pretty colors.

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  7. Hi Sweetie, I am so sorry to hear about the pain that you are in. I have no knowledge about this injection that you are asking about, but after having a bad reaction to what they were giving me, I would be a little leery of their knowledge or their experimenting with my body. Maybe you need one more opinion, from a doctor at an other clinic. I hate hearing that someone I care about is in pain. I will be praying for better health and minimum pain for you, God bless you.
    Connie :)

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    1. Thank you so much Connie. It sure is hard to know what to do.

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  8. It sounds like you've had a miserable week. I hope you never have another one like it. I do not have osteoporosis, but my mom did and my sister does(or did). Mom got 6 broken ribs, a broken collarbone and 2 broken ankles from a car accident. She braced herself with her feet before impact and the seat belt across her chest broke ribs and collarbone. She suffered terribly. That was before treatment became available. My sister started on Boniva, a pill treatment and was switched to injection. She has had a miraculous turnaround. Not only is her osteoporosis gone, her doctor told her that she has the bones of a teenager. After seeing my mom suffer so much I wouldn't hesitate to take advantage of treatment to prevent that suffering. She had to have screws put in her ankles and broken ribs are pure misery. It will be interesting to see if more of your readers have experience with the injections. My sister is thrilled with her improvement. She had no ill effects from the treatment. Good luck to you.

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    1. Peg, thank you so much. I was hoping to hear from someone who has taken the prolia shot. My doctor said to me yesterday, all it takes is one fall and your gardening days will be over. I think the most common side effect is pain in your muscles, bones, and joints, and that sounds horrible. I don't deal with pain very well. But it doesn't affect everyone that way. I would love for the shot to help me like it did your sister. That would wonderful. I am so happy for your sister. But your mother, what a terrible thing to happen. I'm sure she suffered. I am so sorry.

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  9. Dear Henny I am so sorry to hear about all you are going through this week. Will be "looking up". Do not know anything about prolia. Wish you the best if you decide to go with the shot. Hugs!

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  10. Dear Henny,
    First, I love your blog (you). It is the 1st one I go to in the morning. I cannot speak for others, but I take the Prolia shots twice a year. I agreed to it after 3 falls & half a new hip, a rod in the other leg,& a knee replacement. No more broken bones & less arthritis pain. Sandy in Calif.

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    1. Oh Saundra, thank you!! That is what I needed to hear. I know not everyone is the same, but in Peg's comment above, her sister did very well on the Prolia shot too. Thank you too for your sweet comment about my blog. I appreciate that so much. Guess I will be deciding soon...the doctor want me to take the first shot on Nov. 28th.

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  11. I know nothing about that drug. Is it a 'biologic'...? Those scare me. Possible reactions seems worse than what they are supposed to cure. Having to ultimately go down the biological drug path with my UC scares me the most about having UC.

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    1. I really don't know if this is a biological drug, but I don't think so. Sometimes I wish they would not show us all the side effects. Thank you Silver Willow.

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  12. So sorry to hear you've suffered such pain. I've had back problems and can relate to that type of pain. Your Fall pictures are beautiful! Everything always looks so neat and inviting around your farm. Please rest and take care. Keeping you in my prayers.

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  13. As usual everything at Henny Penny Lane is looking just lovely. We are under a hard freeze warning for tonight, so we are in a tizzy to get some last minute things done. I am not one who should give anyone medical advice, for I have little trust for doctors and their medicines, but prefer to eat well and get plenty of exercise, rest, and sunshine. I love your oh-so-lovely photo!

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    1. Thank you Chip Butter. I feel a lot like that too. My daughter wants me to think about what I'm doing for a little while longer. She believes there may be natural ways to rebuild bone. She is making bone broth today that has to simmer 24 to 48 hours. Something that is supposed to be good for your bones. Sure is hard to know what to do.

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  14. We didn't have great foliage here either, it was a weird season. Right now out my window I see snow!

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    1. Really? And it is always so pretty on your mountain top. I can't imagine snow right now. :)

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  15. I don't have any experience or advice about the injections but lots of sympathy for your pain and reaction to cortisone. You look so pretty and sweet in your bonnet in the picture! We have lots of roses still blooming, too. They always make a brave come-back when the weather cools off a bit after the long hot summer.

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    1. Thank you Cynthia. It has been that way here too. The roses looked finished, but have a few blooms now.

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  16. What a lovely bonnet and pretty you, Henny. :-)
    If you could turn your scenery pictures into puzzles, you would sell them easily! Or make lovely gifts. :-)

    I hope you feel better soon, Henny. Will pray for you. Hubby has a bone spur in his lower back so I know he understands your pain.
    God bless.

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    1. Thank you Linda. I appreciate that. I know your husband has been through a lot with his back. Sure hope he gets better and I will think of you both in my prayers too.

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  17. What a beautiful lady you are Henny....inside and out :)
    I'm a back-sufferer myself, I underwent a laminectomy on two lower discs some twenty six years ago, over the years I have developed spondylosis and spinal stenosis, I take no medicine but try and keep moving everyday.
    I hope you research the prescription Prolia, I always think it's a quality of life decision, side-effects vs daily plodding along.
    Just my two-penneth worth.
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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    1. Thank you so much Jo. Oh my goodness, you have surely been through some pain too. My oldest daughter says, lets think about it a little longer. She is big on natural ways of rebuilding bone, but we don't know it that is even possible. It is the side effects that worry me so.

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  18. Look after yourself and get better soon.

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  19. Sorry I can't help at all with advice. I know nothing about it.
    Hope it all gets sorted out soon for you.
    Pretty fall pictures.

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  20. Love, hugs & prayers for you sweet lady.

    FlowerLady

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  21. It seems that getting out of bed each day is a new adventure now. Will I be able to stand up straight? How will it feel to walk in an hour after I maybe get through the stiffness. What will happen if I spend an hour crawling around in the garden? Will my PT exercises really help or are they what's making me hurt? Arthritis is not my friend.
    I don't know anything about Prolia, except hearing it advertised on tv. I don't take any meds yet and so far no injections. I'll keep on working on me for now. I hope you get the answers you need.
    BTW, may I say what a beautiful woman you are, inside and out?

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    1. Linda, thank you so much! You have described my feelings exactly. My first thought when I wake up is, can I sit up and get off the bed. :)

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  22. You are so beautiful!! I think I am gettin arthritis in my fingers also . My little joints in the ends of my fingers ache so much. They don't really swell but are sore to touch and bend some days. Hope your back feels better soon.

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  23. I hope whatever you decide to do, that it will work! We are to get down to about 18* tonight! I am sure not ready for that! I don't like winter at all!

    Grace & Peace,
    Pam

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  24. Henny Penny, you so rarely post photos of your sweet self. You are so lovely! Too bad about the osteoporosis and arthritis... I am afflicted with those too but don't take anything for them. I'm so afraid of the side effects.
    That last picture looks like a painting it's so lovely.

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  25. Loved the picture of you from 2001! We've had unusual weather all year, too.

    I'm sorry that you are suffering with your back again. The reaction to the cortisone sounds scary. I'm glad you are okay. I hope that there will be people who know about the Prolia who can give you the pros and cons of it all. The actress on TV who advertises for it makes it look like a miracle. Take good care of yourself, my friend.

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  26. Oh Henny, so sorry to hear you are going through that. I wish I could suggest something of use but I don't know anything about it. I hope things turn around for you soon. Loved your 2001 photo. You and your girls are so alike; all lovely ladies.
    Sending a hug, Deb Annie and Wilson are waving. =^..^= =^..^=

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  27. I am so sorry to hear about your pain, it can't be easy to know what to do about Prolia. You will be in my prayers to support you through the decision making process. Take care.

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  28. I had to stop Boniva due to issues with teeth and gums. I was offered Prolia but after lots of research rejected it. I found where women were complaining of sweating much like they experienced in menopause.

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  29. Hi! There seem to be a few natural remedies on here today so I thought I would tell you about mine. I'm 70 now but in my mid 40's I was diagnosed with MS. I have a bad back and neck then with 4 desentigrating discs, bone spurs and arthritis in my hands. The pain was just beyond terrible but the hardest part for me was trying to sleep because I was constantly awakened with dreams that I was in pain! Sleep deprivation was about to do me in. Pain meds back then didn't work & pushed my blood pressure up so high that the docs wouldn't let me take them. It was GRIM! But THEN I found Gin Raisins (Google them) when I was in my mid 50's and I've been eating them ever since. They are remarkable and SO effective in controlling pain. Without meaning to we seem to have conducted our own little study at the warehouse where I had my business because once I began to have such great results everyone noticed and wanted to try them. So I made several 1/2 gallon jars of them and every morning people from all over the building with pain in all kinds of places would come get a spoonful. It was remarkable because EVERYONE's pain went away! So they work on controlling inflamation. I have hardly even had a headache in the last 15 yrs except when I decided I was ok now and stopped eating them! Then the pain comes back so I go back to eating them. Almost everyone in my family even the young men who play/played football eat them now because they work so well! While it sounds too good to be true I can assure you that it is! Unlike medication which is so expensive and eventually stops working these make you feel better seemingly forever. Some people are against eating them because of the Gin but when you marinate them the alcohol evaporates leaving only the effective elements soaked into the raisins. The first time I went into the liquor store to buy the Gin I was little embarrassed to buy 2 half gallons of Gin and I put them on the counter the sales clerk looked up and asked "are you making Gin Raisins?" "all the church ladies come here to buy the Gin for theirs". Try them! Google for the directions and testimonials. You will be amazed and SO HAPPY!

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    1. Can l say...this sounds brilliant and l for one...
      Have never heard of it...This what l found on line...

      Place a box full of golden raisins (must be golden) in a glass vessel, like a canning jar. Pour in gin specifically made with Juniper berries, until the raisins are completely covered. Let the raisins sit for a week at room temperature and soak up the gin. After that, eat 10 raisins per day.
      Since it is used to flavor gin which is then evaporated, the medicinal compounds in juniper are most likely very small and residual in the soaked raisins. Golden Raisins: Residual sulfur dioxide (or sulfides) on the grapes can be responsible for some of the anti-inflammatory effects of gin-soaked raisins.

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    2. Jan, thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Poppy and I should try it. Maybe he will make the trip to the liquor store so I won't have to. Seriously, thank you very much. We will try it!

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    3. Hey Willie, Thank you too for checking this out. Sounds good, doesn't it?

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    4. Hi again! My first post was so long that I didn't include everything so I wanted you to know that eating these aren't like taking pain meds. You eat them consistently every day (very important) and you will notice that your pain just subsides. One day you will notice that you don't have pain anywhere. It doesn't usually take long but a week or so is standard so don't be worried if you still have pain after the first day that they don't work. They do! I hope you will try them because your quality of life will improve so much! They make it possible for me to have a life now! Sometimes the best answer is the simpliest but we can't believe it so we don't try. Best wishes! You will probably still be able to build your wall! Unless you just decide not to do it! :)

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  30. Looks like you already got a lot of advice-I don't know about this drug-but-my first reaction is always to be very cautious. Especially when it's a drug that hasn't been out long enough to really study it. I'm so sorry you have pain so much.....I do hope you will find the right thing.

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  31. Oh, I hope you are feeling better soon; being in pain is no fun at all. I do not know anything about this drug. The grounds of your lovely home is looking pretty. Such a sweet photo of you in 2001.

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  32. Cannot give any advice about Prolia but can only say that arthritis is a problem for me also.
    It decides how I spend my day. Hoping you feel better soon and can get the advice that you need.
    Enjoy your blog alot. Phyllis

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  33. Hello Henny, I'm so sorry you're in discomfort. I don't know about Prolia, I'm afraid, but I do suffer from back issues. I've had cortisone injections in my back, and a discectomy/decompression for a bulging disc in the past, and have quite a lot of back and leg stiffness and discomfort. It's hard to get information sometimes and you're absolutely right to do some research. Hope you find some info.

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  34. Ahhhh, my beautiful, beautiful mother! Why have I not seen that photo of you before!? You look like a girl in that picture, and still do today. Folks, when people say playing keeps you young, well here is the proof. We should all be making tea tables from mushrooms. Oh, that's right...I do make playhouses from plants and sticks, thanks to being raised by a magical sweet mama who taught me to make acorn dolls and give them clothes made from leaves. LOL. Mama, I know you will get the answers you need for the shot. I love you more than words could ever say. ~your oldest child, who sometimes cut holes in her clothes

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  35. My Mom is going through the same thing. Her back pain is from Osteoarthritis. Cortisone injections don't help her that much and she turns rosy red too. I took her to a pain clinic a few weeks ago. She is having tests they consist of novacaine injections in her back first the right side then the left side...two times each per medicare. The shots are working so she will have a bigger procedure in a few weeks it is called an ablation and that will disrupt the pain signal to her brain...it will work for 6 months to 2 years and will have to be repeated. She is hopeful that she will be able to sleep at night again.
    I don't know anything about the prolia injection. We had a friend who swore by the gin soaked raisins every morning:)

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  36. We always think Fall is more colorful somewhere else, but I've learned to be content with a mostly yellow Fall, with poplars and ash here in central MN. As a guy, I won't presume to give you any medical advice. All I can say is I hope you feel better very soon and that you can enjoy the Fall color there. Take care, and yes, stop building the wall for now anyway. Phil/MN

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  37. We always think Fall is more colorful somewhere else, but I've learned to be content with a mostly yellow Fall, with poplars and ash here in central MN. As a guy, I won't presume to give you any medical advice. All I can say is I hope you feel better very soon and that you can enjoy the Fall color there. Take care, and yes, stop building the wall for now anyway. Phil/MN

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  38. Sorry to hear about your hurting back, Henny :( It's not for the faint of heart, this aging thing. I'm getting arthritis in my pinkies ... will probably make its way around my hands. I don't know anything about osteoporosis, I'm sorry. But I hope you come to a plan that keeps you at peace and is not scary for you.
    It was a strange weather year, for sure, from last January's terrible cold, so much rain, hurricane. Our trees have little bright green leaves on them, like it's spring. I wonder what that will do to them, after the freeze?

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