Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Some Things End and New Things Begin

We were made to enjoy music, to enjoy beautiful sunsets, to enjoy looking at the billows of the sea and to be thrilled with a rose that is bedecked with dew… Human beings are actually created for the transcendent, for the sublime, for the beautiful, for the truthful... and all of us are given the task of trying to make this world a little more hospitable to these beautiful things.

Bishop Desmond Tutu

I so love this quote by Bishop Tutu.  It is these beautiful things in life as well as my faith in the Creator who made them, that keep me sane and help me endure whatever I may face in life. The beauty in the colours of Fall are what spoke to me of the sublime today amidst learning of the tragedy that has hit the country of Kenya.  The country of my heart and spirit. Please say a little prayer for the people as they endure yet more tragedy in the form of bomb attacks on the City of Nairobi.

A month or so ago, I started pneumatic compression therapy. It was to help eliminate some water from my legs and take some of the stress off of the right knee and leg which has troubled me for months. I think it helped me by giving me that added boost I needed in conjunction with everything else I'm doing to lose weight and get more mobility in the leg.


This is a photo of pneumatic compression therapy. I only get my legs and hips covered.

Given the high cost of this therapy, even at reduced (for me) rates, I've decided not to continue with another round. Instead I'm going to start physiotherapy on the leg and deep massage to supplement the acupuncture treatments I am still getting.

Today I managed to heed my TCM doctor's advice and walk very slowly.  Distance covered was 18 city blocks or approximately 1 mile or 1.6 kilometres. Not too bad, considering there are some days I can't walk more than 3 blocks. The new cross trainers really helped provide the stability and support I needed.

Along the way I stopped at a few shops to buy some small items and to replenish my supply of vegetables.  For a treat and for juicing, I was able to pick up a basket of strawberries on a great buy.

I stopped by my doctor's office to pick up the referral for the new therapies as they will be paid for in large part by medical insurance.  The paper wasn't ready.  Or at least the front desk staff couldn't find it.  My trip wasn't wasted as the doctor asked me to get about 4 blood pressure readings at different intervals over the next several weeks. I got the first one today.

I was relieved to find my blood pressure reading was much better than it was last Wednesday (136/76).  Today it was 126/85. I'm not sure why the bottom number is so high but I'm working on getting the numbers down to normal (120/70). I'm hopeful my next reading will be similarly good,  or even better.

Tomorrow we are supposed to have more  rain after a few days of beautiful, sunny Fall days. Today it was just nice to stroll along the street and snap a few photos of the Fall foliage without worrying about rain drops getting in the camera lens.

This is what I love about the Fall; all the glorious colour.
I want to let my regular readers know that I may not be as active for a few days while I deal with some personal errands and begin new therapies. I have one or possibly two pre-scheduled posts but I may not be up to reading blogs and commenting as prolifically as I usually do for the immediate future.


16 comments:

Vores have said...

Hej Joyful.
Håber at dit blodtryk bliver helt stabilt og ønsker dig held og lykke med din nye behandlingsform.
Tænker på dig - pas godt på dig selv.
Flot efterårsbillede du har sat ind.
Ønsker dig en god dag.
Knus Hanne Bente ♥

Joyful said...

Tak Hanne for de gode ønsker om mit helbred. Jeg er spændt, når jeg ser mit blodtryk og blodsukker går ned. The Fall er min favorit tid af året. Velsignelser. Joyful

Jo said...

Hi Penny, yes very sad that humans want to destroy God's beautiful creation and all around us. I , too, pray for peace on this country which has become one of my heart as well. I pray for you and the therapies which I believe will help improve your lifestyle, Thank you for your continued prayers; much appreciated my dear friend. And, don't worry, we'll still be here when you return. Blessings and hugs Jo

Joyful said...

Yes, Jo it is very sad indeed what is going on around the world and there in Kenya. I truly believe that Kenya has been so much blessed of God with natural beauty and bounty and I long for it to be a place of peace and restoration. I thank God that he answers the prayers of the people. Even though we may wait, God is never late or early. I am happy to hear you will still be there when I return. I am not quite sure when that will be my friend. Warmly, Penny

Heart n Soul said...

Hey there, thanks for your lovely comments ... yes all photos are mine unless image source given. Thanks for stopping by. Hope you will link up with my latest project, needing a few more contributers and would love you to join our community too - http://heartsoulexchange.blogspot.com/p/inspire-me.html

Bossy Betty said...

Hope all goes well with your treatments! Thinking of you....

Joyful said...

Heart n Soul, thank you for your visit. I'll be quite busy for the next while so I won't be able to check out your latest project until I get through some things. Stay well ;-)

Joyful said...

Thank you Bossy Betty. Thinking of you too!

Kilauea Poetry said...

That quote..is one which escapes islamic jihadists.. so sad, I read about that. It's hard to come to grips with it but we must keep going and trusting.
I'm glad your walking and you've found relief with weight loss too. Before I forget, the colors of Fall in that picture are so vibrant!
I'm going to see my Doctor tomorrow and hopefully my lab results will be in or I'll have to maybe wait until Monday? Not sure but maybe I will know what move to make next.
Wishing you a restful day-

Kilauea Poetry said...

That quote..is one which escapes islamic jihadists.. so sad, I read about that. It's hard to come to grips with it but we must keep going and trusting.
I'm glad your walking and you've found relief with weight loss too. Before I forget, the colors of Fall in that picture are so vibrant!
I'm going to see my Doctor tomorrow and hopefully my lab results will be in or I'll have to maybe wait until Monday? Not sure but maybe I will know what move to make next.
Wishing you a restful day-

Icy BC said...

I'm glad to hear that your blood pressure went down. It's a good sign and you'll get there with your carefulness. Just take care of your health first, blog can come later..

The Professor's Wife said...

Joyful, you are an inspiration with your choice to embrass joy :) despite the difficult circumstances you face! Hope your new therapies go well.

Kay L. Davies said...

I love the quotation from Bishop Tutu, what a wonderful man.
I hate the idea of bombs in Kenya.
I'm glad you're getting around better but sorry you've decided to discontinue the compression therapy. I hope the other therapies offer you some relief.
I've talked to my husband about getting a juicer. Of course, he's been researching the subject to bits instead of going out and buying one for me.
Yesterday we got edamame, and I enjoyed some for lunch. Can't do it too often because it needs salt, but when I get a juicer, I can put the beans into the juicer with veggies and get some soy protein that way. The dog loves the pods, with or without the beans!
Take care of yourself, Penny!

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

Urmi said...

Wonderful post. Please take proper care of your health. I always pray to God for your good health and long life.

Fred Alton said...

Oh My! It is sad to hear that Nairobi's poor are being bombed in such reckless and nasty ways. Of course our prayers go up for the victims to be comforted - and for the perpetrators to cease such actions. May the Lord change their hearts and forgive their sins.

So glad that your b/pressure was better. Mine stays close to 120/80 and my doc tells me that's perfect. Maybe "perfect" varies for different people. Also I pray that your compression therapy works for you. Be Blessed.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Hey, i decided to post this here rather than on your current post)I've been away and had to take off a little from blogging too. Celebrated my dad's 95th birthday yesterday, a dog walk today and our 20th Anniversary is tomorrow (I may get a post up) whew..
Update: I went back to my regular doctor as the current results came in (remember they tossed them when they sent me off with antibiotics -at the ER..think I told you that?), but I may of also mentioned, before I left the ER that day, I went back in and was able to get a requisition (so as not to cost me twice by seeing the doctor again) so when I went back to take it again at the lab, I found out they didn't send the culture in because regular doctor said "there is nothing here! Your urine is so clear you could drink it!!" (Laughter/puzzled look) "he says so you took the antibiotics then?" I said no, I really had no symptoms. I said it must be the MMS (cleans everything especially bacteria. He says what??
I went back and picked up the original results but the latest news doesn't explain some of the other symptoms? Anyhow, that's where I stand. Didn't me to bore you and hope you can understand..just thought I'd explain what happened.
Hope your having a relaxing weekend my friend:)

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