Cate's Diary

Oh no Cate, that’s not the outcome I hoped for you. So disappointing. But look, see what the surgeon says and do everything they recommend for now.
 
If I had to have surgery on any major joint I´d hope it to be the knee. There are risks to any surgery but the knee is usually a straightforward one for recovery. If you´re using crutches for the first time: try to stand up straight and keep your shoulders down. If the height of your crutches doesn´t allow for that: adjust it. Our shoulders usually aren´t trained to take our weight so it´s important to make it as easy as possible for them. Ideally you´d get an expert to show you how to do it right.
I have borrowed forearm crutches, rather than the underarm ones, LaMa, but the knee brace seems to really reduce my pain. I'll just have to get used to walking as little as possible for however long it takes.
Oh no Cate, that’s not the outcome I hoped for you. So disappointing. But look, see what the surgeon says and do everything they recommend for now.
Thanks, Em, I will. I knew there was something really wrong.
 
That's some really tough news to get Cate. Good your gp was on it and sent you for that MRI instead of just assuming a meniscus tear and leaving it at that. Sounds like you'll need to pretty careful. Do you have an idea when you'll be seeing the surgeon?
Sending you a hug :grouphug:
 
Forearm crutches don't have you risk nerve damage in your armpit (yay!) but most people still tend to pull their shoulders up when they use them so the same advice applies.
I have no idea how to use them, LaMa. I will try to find out. In the meantime, they're just sitting there.
Awww sorry to hear that Cate , have you any idea what may have caused it . Seems to have got bad very fast . Sending you lots of love and good wishes and :grouphug:
I think it's been happening for a while, but playing golf twice in a week seemed to make it worse. I only managed 7 holes the weekend we went away. Thanks for the love & the hugs. I need them right now.
That's some really tough news to get Cate. Good your gp was on it and sent you for that MRI instead of just assuming a meniscus tear and leaving it at that. Sounds like you'll need to pretty careful. Do you have an idea when you'll be seeing the surgeon?
Sending you a hug :grouphug:
Thanks, Liza, especially for the hug. I wish I did know. G is going away for a week in just under 3 weeks time. I'm starting to feel really vulnerable. I think we will have to start thinking about moving somewhere else. I also feel that I don't really have other people to lean on. We depend on one another maybe a bit too much.
 
I'm sure that someone as lovely and supportive as you come across on this forum has a lot more people you can depend on than you think. Don't be afraid to ask for help Cate. You'll be surprised at the amazing response you get, I know it. xx
I completely agree with Em . You have some nice ladies I know you check in on and they do you too . I also would look for help . Do you know people actually genuinely liked to be ask for help . I love to help out if I can and I know you do too . Give yourself a chance first and see how your leg works out before you sell up !!!!
 
That's tough with G going away for a week. Maybe one of your kids could come by for a weekend at least--help out, keep you company?
I agree with Petal about seeing how your knee heals before planning a move any time soon...i know a lot of people around here eventually move into town once things become too hard to run out in the country...and it often is a positive move to be walking distance to shops and such, but hopefully you'll have some years yet on your property since you love it so much.
 
I'm sure that someone as lovely and supportive as you come across on this forum has a lot more people you can depend on than you think. Don't be afraid to ask for help Cate. You'll be surprised at the amazing response you get, I know it. xx
I read that yesterday & got a bit teary. That's very sweet of you, Em. I'm not good at asking for help. Most of my friends are older. Most of them have family living nearby who can take them to things if they need help.
I completely agree with Em . You have some nice ladies I know you check in on and they do you too . I also would look for help . Do you know people actually genuinely liked to be ask for help . I love to help out if I can and I know you do too . Give yourself a chance first and see how your leg works out before you sell up !!!!
Oh, Petal. I know you're right. I love being asked to help. We all like to feel needed. We do both love it here.
That's tough with G going away for a week. Maybe one of your kids could come by for a weekend at least--help out, keep you company?
I agree with Petal about seeing how your knee heals before planning a move any time soon...i know a lot of people around here eventually move into town once things become too hard to run out in the country...and it often is a positive move to be walking distance to shops and such, but hopefully you'll have some years yet on your property since you love it so much.
Thanks, Liza. I think I have been getting scared about the future & how much harder it will be especially if we lose our mobility. I think we will plan on moving in about 5 years though. If we leave it until we are very much older the move would be too hard.
If I need to go to an appointment while G is away I'll ring our older son & see if he can take me. R doesn't have a drivers licence. he has never had one. He may have sold his house by then & may come up anyway.

We met old friends for lunch yesterday & really enjoyed catching up. G went to uni with him & we were part of a large group of friends who used to catch up regularly when we lived in Melbourne. We have known them for decades. It cheered me up a lot. We pick up from where we left off every time. We share the same political beliefs, taste in music, friends.... We're going to catch up more often.
 
That old-friend-catch-up sounds lovely!
I need to go to an appointment while G is away I'll ring our older son & see if he can take me. R doesn't have a drivers licence. he has never had one.
That's basically the reason why I'm keeping my license (and am making sure I drive when I can) : you just never know where you'll end up needing one and it makes such a difference for independence.
 
That old-friend-catch-up sounds lovely!
It was LaMa. I hope we continue having them.
I wish R did have a licence. His life could be so different. A campervan would be good for him. I would love to see him more often.

October 2020
Well.....yet another month has gone of 2020 & we are in the last quarter. There's no point making plans I won't keep. Now that I'm really not meant to move much at all I'll have to eat less.
I had another call yesterday from a different golfing lady as she'd heard about my knee. It was a lovely conversation. I can't imagine getting back to playing golf, but who knows? It's lovely to have people making the effort to ring.
I did manage to bath Archie yesterday. He is hilarious after a bath. He didn't get a walk in at all as it was raining all day & was still when G got home.
 
That's really too bad about not being able to move much Cate, but yes, so much can be done through limiting food. I think one big thing will be how to keep your mood up with having to keep the movement limited and not wanting to resort to too many food/alcohol treats to improve mood. Do you have some good alternative plans for how to spend the time Cate? Is there a nice area in the garden to just sit with a book, enjoy the aromas, the birds, the wildlife? Does Archie have a good area in the yard where he can run a bit when you're not able to take him on walks?
 
Cate our dog gets loads of exercise without walking most days . She chases balls , we hide stuff for her and she chases bubbles . Oh and she plays lots of tug of war .

Glad you friend called you . That was nice . It sounds like you are thinking way too far into the future . Hopefully your knees will repair
 
That's really too bad about not being able to move much Cate, but yes, so much can be done through limiting food. I think one big thing will be how to keep your mood up with having to keep the movement limited and not wanting to resort to too many food/alcohol treats to improve mood. Do you have some good alternative plans for how to spend the time Cate? Is there a nice area in the garden to just sit with a book, enjoy the aromas, the birds, the wildlife? Does Archie have a good area in the yard where he can run a bit when you're not able to take him on walks?
Keeping my mood up will be very important, Liza. I will just have to find ways. I felt more positive for most of today. Attitude is everything. I also sat outside with him & G took him for 2 decent walks. I have been concentrating on how much worse it could be & how lucky I am today, instead of feeling so sorry for myself. Thank you, Liza xo
Cate our dog gets loads of exercise without walking most days . She chases balls , we hide stuff for her and she chases bubbles . Oh and she plays lots of tug of war .
Glad you friend called you . That was nice . It sounds like you are thinking way too far into the future . Hopefully your knees will repair
Oh, I know you're right. There are lots of things I can do with Archie.
Oh, I know you're right. I'm thinking WAY too far into the future. I have to stop doing this. Thanks, Petal xo
 
October 2020
Well.....yet another month has gone of 2020 & we are in the last quarter.

Oh my God, it's so mad. Every month since March has been a complete blur. I feel like time is moving faster than ever.

Glad you're feeling better about things.
 
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