Bilateral THR ByGosh ByGolly ByLateral

[zauberflöte]

ByGosh checking in to see how you are today-- I see that there was some slight improvement, but at the cost of side effects. I know nothing about the treatment you're taking, but I hope and pray that the improvement will take off like a wildfire! There will be dancing in the streets with you when that happns. I know you are fearful, you've been through the wringer. We will be positive for you, and lift you up when you can't lift yourself

LeeApril26 I do hope you find a solution for your sleeplessness... no sleep is the pits!

 

[glynis]

Well, ByGosh, I'm so glad my weight has cheered you up. I can't say it has exactly that same effect on me every time I get on the scales, but I'm realistic about it. It's OK for my height and age.

I would like to be a little bit slimmer, simply because many of the more fashionable shops in the UK don't do clothes bigger than a size 14 (I don't think that's the same as your size 14, but I don't know if it's bigger or smaller). I don't know if you have Reiss over there, but they only stock certain lines in a size 16. I was in there with a friend recently, and the odd 16s they did have were kept discreetly hidden away, in an upstairs stock room. My friend and I had the assistants running up and down stairs like... well, like people running up and down stairs.

I eventually bought 3 tops and my friend bought 2 - so everyone was happy. Kate Middleton buys a lot of Reiss dresses, and of course they sell out the minute she is seen in a new style. (Don't think any running up and down stairs is necessary for her size.)

Sorry to correct you, but the royal baby's third name is Louis, not Lewis. You pronounce it Lou-ee. It is a reference to Charles' uncle, Lord Louis Mountbatten, who was killed many years ago in a dreadful bomb incident by the IRA. Charles was very fond of his uncle, I believe. Nylsor will know more details, I'm sure. I'm not that interested in the royals, Nylsor, but I did read a biography of Edwina Mountbatten, and found it fascinating. A Life of Her Own, by Janet Morgan, if you're interested.

The royal baby has the same three first initials as my husband. He may not be that pleased with his name when he gets to school and his chums find out his initials spell GAL.

Enough of the royal baby!

Glad to hear it's So Far So Good with the injections. The journey of a thousand miles...

 

[Littlejem]

I'm so glad to hear you have had at least some relief but please don't over do it will you? I really hope that things are now on the change for you and you will continue to become stronger and pain free. I love the new baby name and my middle grandson who is 9 thinks it's a great name, his name by the way is also George!!

 

[sqwerlie]

Hi ByGosh, just checking in to see how you feel today.

 

[Songlady]

Hi ByGosh, how are you today? How did you sleep?
LeeApril26, of course; I'd forgotten about you and the melatonin dreams! When I read your post just then, I remembered. And, yes, I LOVE the Elisabeth Ogilvie books! I think I've read all but one, one that's peripheral to the main series (Maine series, ah, a pun!) and I recently bought it used; it's on my nightstand in the queue. Thanks for reminding me, though - I might have to re-read the "Tide" series.......
Songman and I have gone to Maine each summer since our honeymoon, which will be 32 years ago next week. No wonder our sons feel so at home there!
ByGosh, sorry, here I am, chatting to someone else on your front porch again.......and I'd come here in the first place to see how you are!

 

[ByGosh]

glynis I'm sure your size 16 in the UK is more like our size 12 here in the US. I laughed at the image of the sales ladies running up and down the stairs. At least you made some purchases, though. They just had to do a little work for their salary that day.
Reiss does have very nice clothes. I especially like the simplicity and sophistication of some of their day dresses and pants. Their blazers are pretty classic, too. They are a bit pricey, though. Not an issue for the Princess, I'm sure.

Thank you for the correction of the Prince's name. I must prefer the sound of Lou-ee to Lewis! I've been meaning to look up their surname. They must have one, but for some reason, I seem to remember there's many names to it? That'll give me something to do today..

The slight improvement of yesterday seems to have worn off. Maybe it was the numbing agent working. We'll see...It is a journey of a thousand miles, and I'm tired of it, but it looks like there is no choice but to keep going.

Speaking of journeys - one of my son's friends is traveling the Way of St. James in Spain this summer. Their route is a 500 mile pilgrimage through the Pyrenees and many small villages to a cathedral in Santiage, where the remains of St. James are supposedly buried. She's posting a daily account on Facebook, and often travels 6-8 hrs. a day, going 20-25 kilometers. She and her boyfriend stay in hostels or albergues at night. It's interesting to read, but seems rather bleek to me. I personally would much rather visit a beautiful city with hotels, good food and a nice swimming pool!

 

[LeeApril26]

Speaking of journeys - one of my son's friends is traveling the Way of St. James in Spain this summer.

ByGosh Oh, I have always wanted to do this. I read an article many years ago, either in Smithsonian or National Geographic, about doing it on horseback. The whole idea of the journey, let alone the horse, did not appeal to my husband, who is actually a great walker. But people have been doing it for centuries, and I think some king did it on his knees, but I could be wrong about that. In the old days the pilgrims wore scallop shells as a symbol of the nature of the journey.

Sorry today is not a good one. It can take a few days for this to work. Seems like you have your very own pilgrimage to make.

 

[ByGosh]

Littlejem The Prince's name will no doubt become one of the most popular names now, if it wasn't already. Your grandson must feel honored -after all, he was named it first!

Today I don't see as much improvement as yesterday. As I just posted above, maybe the local numbing agent has worn off. There's still time for the steroids to work, though. I'll just have to wait a few more days and hope for the best.

How is your recovery coming along now? Are you back to work? You live fairly close to London, don't you? Henry must be happy that you're back on your feet now, and taking him places. He'll look forward to pub night tomorrow, if you're going! And I'm sure the customers look forward to seeing him, too. Give him a nice pat for me, he's such a handsome dog.

When I was young and single, I had a boyfriend whose parents were fairly wealthy and lived in a beautiful large home. They had a lovley Poodle and a handsome Weinmariner, much like Henry. They would host elegant dinners at their home, with delicious foods and wonderful desserts, served with coffee and cream. They used sterling silver dinnerware, fine china and Waterford crystal. One of his eccentric father's favortite antics was to call the Weinmariner, Gluck was his name, up to the dining table into a chair alongside of the dinner guests. He would then have him slurp up the remainder of the cream from the crystal creamer, in front of all of the chagrined guests. Everyone would be dressed up, on their best behavior, and wouldn't dare utter a word about it. The father loved the way it put them on the spot. It was very funny, and I saw him do it over and over again, whenever they had people for dinner! That was my first introduction to Weinmariners, who remain one of my favorite dogs.

sqwerlie and Songlady I felt a little better yesterday, but there's still time for improvement. I did sleep very well last night, though! It was heavenly to catch up!
And Songlady You can have porch conversations on my thread any time you'd like! It makes it much more interesting. How are you doing? How's Songman feeling - did he get additional relief from his 2nd injection? I hope so!

sqwerlie Nice of you to check in. I'm none the worse for wear. How's your recovery going? Have you finished your PT yet? When does your husband harvest his fields - it must be on-going as the plants mature. We've been having very delicious corn this summer - what a treat!

 

[ByGosh]

LeeApril26 Yes, the pilgrimage is one that's been going on for centuries, and there are many different routes one can take. My son's friend saw a man on horseback along the trail, too. I haven't heard about a King having done the journey on his knees, though. My goodness, would his knees get rubbed raw! The poor girl wrote about her painful, sore feet the first few days of the journey. She was soaking them in ice water at night. She finally found a store that sold gel insoles that helped her. I would think the stores along the way would be well-stocked with those kind of supplies, there are so many travelers. She posts pictures of the villages and scenery everyday. There are many, many cathedrals - almost one in each village. It's always been a very holy and spiritual journey, although she isn't doing it for religious reasons. More for the experience, the culture, and the novelty of it - and also because she's young and free and can do it! The architecture of the cathedrals is very beautiful. Although the nature of the adventure doesn't appeal to me, I'm enjoying her blog. If you'd like her name to look it up, I can give it to you. It may change your mind about your desire to travel it, though! Or it may inspire you - better get going with the hilly, rocky, dusty terrain training!

 

[Nylsor]

I personally would much rather visit a beautiful city with hotels, good food and a nice swimming pool!​

Yes, so would I. That's why I've never been camping because tents don't have electrical outlets.

I've been meaning to look up their surname. They must have one, but for some reason, I seem to remember there's many names to it?​

All the members of the immediate Royal Family bear the surname Windsor but are usually known by their titles - if they have one. The name of the Royal House was changed to Windsor from Saxe Coburg Gotha during WW1 by King George V due to the dislike of all things German during that war. The Saxe Coburg Gotha name came from Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria. Windsor has English connotations - we have Windsor Castle which is in the beautiful (and very expensive) town of Windsor about forty miles from London. The Queen and her descendants are of the House of Windsor. However, Prince William was given the title of Duke of Cambridge by the Queen on his marriage. Katherine Middleton became Duchess of Cambridge when she married him. Their son's officially correct name is His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge. He is likely to be known as Prince George in the same way his father is known as Prince William. Kate only has one title - HRH Duchess of Cambridge. Here endeth the history lesson!
Oh ByGosh please don't be despondent. You've got an awful lot of inflammation to control and it may take a time to work. It's early days yet. I know it must be just awful, and I also know the feeling of absolute helplessness, but at least you now know what the problem is and it can and will be addressed. You have been so courageous and there are so many friends wishing you well and keeping you close in mind and prayer With loving thoughts and prayers, your friend from across the Pond Rosxx
PS I love your new avatar - I have a rose just like that in my garden

 

[LeeApril26]

ByGosh Would love to read it if she doesn't mind-I can do it vicariously. I can assure you I won't be doing it in person. Husband and both children though I was mad when I suggested it years ago, and I'd need to have a whole bunch of joints replaced before I could do it now.
It is the history of it, and the shared experience that drew me. I think it started in the early 800s. It would be a trip back in time.
Can't remember the exact story of the king. Maybe he did the pilgrimage, then went up the stairs on his knees???
Anyway, thanks. I admire the young woman's willingness to do it.

 

[Songlady]

ByGosh - I am glad you slept well, anyway. I feel as if I can deal with a a whole lot of I at least have a decent night's sleep.
And yes, patience is often called for with the injections! Songman had his injections for the cervical spine area on Monday, and even yesterday, Wednesday, he was still letting out the occasional "Ouch!" Today he says it still hurts, a slightly different kind of hurt, but still hurts. So.... I hope the injections do kick in for both of you within the next few days!
I love the story of the Weim... oh, goodness, what a word to spell; DOG. Reminded me of one of my first jobs, which was in Greenwich.
It also reminded me... when I was in high school, our family had a cat that loved certain table foods; one of her favorites was (believe it or not) spaghetti. The cat would come to the table to beg, and my father would say, "Watch out or I'll get the high chair for you!" and we'd all laugh.
One summer someone broke into our house (pushed a hole through a screen door - the real door wasn't even shut in our little beach neighborhood) and stole a Piggy Bank that belonged to me. My mother called the police to report the break-in.
We had spaghetti that night. And to combat the unhappy vibes around the table, my father actually went to the attic and brought down an old high chair, put the cat in it, and spooned some spaghetti onto the tray.
At that point the young police officer showed up to take the report.
My dad and us kids thought it was hysterical, my mother was HORRIBLY embarrassed... and the poor officer kept trying to take notes, but kept looking at the cat and losing track of his train of thought and saying, "WHAT were the identifying marks on the bank...? And I kept saying, "It said 'My Pig.'" "What...?" he'd ask again. "PIG! P - I - G!" (which was NOT what a 'good girl' like me wanted to be saying to a US police officer in the early 70's...)
Anyway, it was a memorable scene.

 

[Littlejem]

ByGosh I so hope it wasn't just the numbing agent that was helping the pain, I have heard it can take a few days to kick in properly so we'll all still keep everything crossed that it still works for you!!

Speaking of journeys - one of my son's friends is traveling the Way of St. James in Spain this summer. Their route is a 500 mile pilgrimage through the Pyrenees and many small villages to a cathedral in Santiage, where the remains of St. James are supposedly buried.

I have travelled some of this area in Spain, Steve bought me a little sports car for my 50th birthday and we travelled northern Spain in it. We went through Leon and Santiago de Compostela and stayed in some wonderful old buildings. At Santiago on the day we stayed, the King and Queen of Spain also stayed in our parador, wonderful old building in the square with the Cathedral, there was a lot of information on the pilgrimage.
I love the story about the weimaraner and can just imagine it sitting up at the table waiting for his dinner! I can imagine the dinner guests were quite shocked to have a dog at the table!! The breed is very people friendly and just loves the human contact.

 

[ByGosh]

Songlady Thanks for the good laugh! That's even better than the Weinmariner story! It's almost like a children's book - Spaghetti and the Kitty Cat or the Kitty Cat Who Loved Spaghetti. I'm sorry your piggy bank was stolen. And it's hilarious that you had to keep saying 'pig' to the policeman at that time in our history with the hippie anti-establishment sentiment. I'm glad the cat was there to ease the tension- your dad was a smart man to do that for you!
Yes, let's hope both Songman and I see some improvement in the next few days! Maybe I'm having a post-injection flare. Let's still keep our collective fingers crossed - we'll all wind up with trigger fingers at this rate!

Nylsor I loved the history lesson! You're a great educator, really. I guess I was confused about the name because of the before WWI name. So I wonder if Prince William signs his checks William Windsor? Somehow, I don't think so! But you are certainly well-informed. Here in America there's no exposure to royality, so their history and ways are not in our lives, and we have very little knowledge of them. I personally find it fascinating - don't hesitate to inform me about any of the little tidbits that make up your English culture! It's all interesting to me.
And thanks so much Nylsor for your ever inspiring words of encouragement. It means so much to me. Yes, there is a lot of inflammation and it is early days for the shots. I'll try to stay hopeful, but it seems too easy to have these simple injections do the trick. I hate to even say that, and I know I shouldn't, so I won't! But you do keep me on track and help me to stay more positive. What would I do without you and all of these other supportive friends here? I don't want to think of being without you all. Everyone is so good to give me encouragement and help me laugh and stay occupied here! Thanks so much.

LeeApril26 I'll PMessage you the name of the pilgramige friend, not that it matters so much, but I guess for my son's sake, as he's very likely to turn up on her page at some point! We have her car parked at our house for the summer, as we're suburban and she has an apartment in the city. It's actually done us a favor, too, as he's had to rely on it a few times. We have 5 drivers and 4 cars, and with teenagers, too, who go in different directions, it doesn't always work out so well. Although, I'm not going anyplace lately, I don't like to feel trapped without a car if I need one.

zauberflöte Thanks for checking in with me. I'm sure you've read by now that today isn't what I'd hoped for. But there's still time for improvement! Like I said before, we'll all get trigger finger from keeping our fingers crossed!
I hope you're doing well with your recovery. It's great that you had a good OS visit and were able to drive all of that way and back. Good for you! Keep up the hard work - I haven't gotten to your thread lately, but I know I should visit for some good reading and undoubedly some laughs! Take care.

 

[BeckyR]

glynis ByGosh, I believe a 16 in the UK is a 14 in the USA. I've traveled (and shopped) in the UK, though not for many years, and there has always been a one size difference. I remember when the British papers printed about Fergie, "She's really a size 14!" as if that was something horrifying, and I realized that was only a 12 in the USA, which is far from fat.

 

[Kylesh]

You have been so courageous and there are so many friends wishing you well and keeping you close in mind and prayer

I second what Nylsor said....

To answers some of your inquires from several pages ago on your thread, here you are having a difficult time and still worrying about all of us you are truly an angel.

First on the move, nothing official yet, but there has been some e-mail traffic floating around the personnel office, so I think I should get a date some time soon. As for the knee, I saw my OS this afternoon about it and the fact that I still feel off kilter and have a limp. So the good news is the knee x-rays show no problem with the bone structure and no arthritis, so I am scheduled for an MRI next week. He said that it might be a torn meniscus because the area of the pain is right and movements that cause pain is right...but he said that it didn't act like a typical tear because I don't have a lot of swelling.

Goodnight dear friend....here's to a better day for you tomorrow

 

[zauberflöte]

one of my son's friends is traveling the Way of St. James in Spain this summer.

ByGosh aside from the dust, that appeals to me too! On another trip, I could have the luxury lodgings... I remember that story about the king on his knees, too, but of course the details have flown the coop LOL.

Your DOG story was hilarious-- reminds me of a story about one or another US president who made careful preparations with his coffee cup saucer, guests following suit in bewilderment, only to set the creamy saucer on the floor for the cat!-- but I think Songlady 's takes the cake, er, spaghetti. We once had a cat who begged for cucumber, and could count to two half-slices, but we never made a parlor trick out if it....

ByGosh I know you are exhausted of this whole thing, that's why we are here. To carry you along when you just can't take another step. I'm thinking of you all the time!

 

[Kim22]

ByGosh I just want you to know that you are still in my thoughts and my prayers.It is still early days after your injections which would have left some residual soreness from the trauma of the injections themselves.When are you going back to see the OS ?

 

[Nylsor]

So I wonder if Prince William signs his checks William Windsor?​

No, his name before he became HRH The Duke of Cambridge was HRH Prince William of Wales. His brother is HRH Prince Henry (Harry) of Wales. This is because their father, Prince Charles, has the title, HRH The Prince of Wales, among many titles. At school, Princes William and Harry were known to their schoolfellows as William and Harry Wales. Prince Andrew, HRH The Duke of York, the Queen's second son, insisted his daughters be known as HRH Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie of York. This is because he is a snob and very aware of his own status. Princess Anne, the Queen's daughter, has the title the HRH The Princess Royal, which is traditionally given to the eldest daughter of the sovereign. She has been married twice, both times to commoners, and chose for her children not to have royal titles. She has two children by her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, and they are called Mr Peter Phillips and Miss Zara Phillips. Zara got married almost two years ago to an England rugby player, Mike Tindall, and she is expecting their first child next year. It will not have a title. Peter Phillips married a Canadian , Autumn Kelly, and they have two daughters, Savannah and Isla. Neither have titles. The Queen's youngest son, Edward, has the title HRH The Earl of Wessex and his wife is HRH The Countess of Wessex. She was a commoner, Sophie Rees-Jones. They have two children who are known as Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn. Don't ask me why Prince Andrew's daughters are Princesses when Prince Edward's daughter is not. We live in the past where all these titles are concerned and they are the gift of the Queen. What's the betting that if, and when, Charles becomes King, he will want Camilla crowned as Queen Consort? Don't know how that will go down in the UK and elsewhere. Quite honestly, I don't think people will care one way or another. I would have minded very much years ago, but not now. Time moves on and attitudes change. Here endeth another history lesson !
I do so hope that you are a little better today, dear. Mike asks me every day how you are getting on. Loving thoughts from your friend across the Pond, Ros xx
I'll try and think up some more funny old traditions from this funny old country to distract you

 

[ByGosh]

Littlejem The trip in your little sports car must have been wonderful! It sounds like you enjoyed yourselves. And staying at the same lodging as the King and Queen - what a thrill that must have been. I would much prefer traveling by car rather than walking, like my son's friend is doing - especially if it were in a little sports car. Do you still own the car? How did you manage to transport it to Spain from England, or did you purchase it in Europe? What a great birthday present that was! The pilgramige destination is Santiago de Compostela and the woman who is traveling the route posts about the places they stay. It all sounds so historic and ancient. You must have loved your trip.

Hi BeckyR How fun it must have been for you to shop in the UK. And I think Fergie looks just fine. She did quite well representing our Weight Watchers program here in the US years ago, too. She's been a rather controversial figure in past years. Her daughters were also pretty interesting at the wedding in their 'fascinators' or hats that they wore. I loved seeing them.