Christian Photographers Community

Well I saw the Orthopaedic Surgeon today, He put me in a different brace and we discussed several options. He said I have severe arthritis in both hands that showed up on the x-rays. He said he could give me a Cortisone shot to relieve the pain and it may and may not last up to a year or not even  work at all. here there is also the option of surgery in which he would go in and removed the tiny bone at the end of the long thumb bone then remove a piece of tendon  from my arm and stretch the remaining down to  meet where he removed the piece, roll up the small piece to form a "pillow" for the long bone to rest on. I would be in a cast a bout 3-4 months. However he said I could still work as long as I don't do any lifting and just keep on doing what I am currently doing.

Is this TMI?

Sounds like a lot of "procedure," Marilyn.      Which will you opt for, or have you decided yet?  Whatever helps, I would say.   

I have been w/o internet service for a few daze ... First, my ISP went down Saturday morning and stayed that way until Monday afternoon.  I guess no one works on the weekends.     It has been rather iffy since then.  But.... here I am now so I'll just "hey" to all y'all and skeedaddle outta here before I get shut out again. 

I've had a lot of reading to catch up on but I think I have that accomplished now.

See y'all later ...............

Good morning.  Early here.  Well, early for Etta Sue.  Still dark. 

Kitty and I are going out for breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  Then going to her house so she can fix lunch for her hubby.  Then she is to have a mammogram this afternoon so will go there.  She needs ink for her printer and it is at Robert's Camera Store.  By then we should be hungry again and we will stop at Don Pablo's.  Then to her house.  She made a DVD book of pictures that her grandson took in St. Louis this summer.  Alex is 10.  I want to watch it.  Then we plan to make Christmas Wreaths with corn flakes, marshmallows, syrup and green food coloring.  Then red hot to make them look like berries.  Full day....our Christmas present to each other!! 

That's it.  Suppose to get to 42° today and no rain until this evening.  Sounds like a nice day really!

I read an article in an Arthritis magazine I picked up in the Dr. office yesterday that says there is a less invasive procedure. There is a new implant out now that  replaces the  piece they take out it  and it dissolves over time as the new tissue grown in to fill that space. It acts like a spacer.

I go back in three week, In the mean time I will see the Hand Therapist twice per week starting Jan 3rd. I will probably do the cortisone shot first as the Dr. said my hand is not ready for the surgery yet, although I will discuss the new procedure with him.

The doctor said that the lower thumb joint is the most common place for Arthritis in the hands.

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Quote from: Pat on December 20, 2007, 10:06:37 AM

O Little Town of Bethlehem

One of the thing I enjoy when visiting this site are the songs and hymns that I can listen to.  Thanks Pat

While there is a lull in my working on our classes 50th reunion I can not only look in but take that time to post.

What did we do before ATM machines?

Recipes for Potato Soup:  My mother being a great cook never had recipes.  She just added a little of this and a little of that. Once I asked her for her recipe for tomato soup cake.  She had a hard time writing down what she did...but the cake came out great when we folowed her directions.

Implants:  Wow what a great thing and yes it is my thumb that hurts at most times, though other joints join in the fun at other times.

Our family celebration is only 2 days away.  26 people in one house is a lot of noise and a lot of fun.  It is also one of the few times during the year when we are all together at one time.

I am the annual reader for the childrens part of our Christmas Eve service.  This year the story is about one of the camels that carried one of the three wise men to Bethlehem.  "Humphries First Christmas"

I want to take this time to thank all of you for your contributions to this site....makes it kinda homey.  Thanks to those of you that are administrators.....in order to keep this site operational.  Not knowing who started this site, I my thanks goes to Pat for inviting me here long ago.

Merry christmas everyone !

Hi Ed!!!!!!!!!  Are ya snowed in?   Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Great to see you Ed and I'm so happy that you enjoy the music and carols.  It's lovely to hear that.  I know that I also enjoy them.    I hope you drop in again very, very soon.  Have a wonderful Christmas.

Hi Samantha!  How are you and the family?  I've been praying for you.

hello to all:

I enjoy all of the CP site although I do not spend a lot of time in any one particular place except for here.

It was asked when am I going to retire well it was going to be Christmas now I have extended it to perhaps June but it could also be sooner depending on one thing and Pat you will know who said it often if you can not say anything good do say anything at all, and that is me right now.  Feeling down about a lot of things.

I am feeling very tired so will see ya all another time.    Ruth

Hi everyone.  I had a very busy day yesterday doing research and then making decisions about getting DSL Lite for our daughter.  I got two different stories from ATT but guess the first one wasn't from the right section of the company.  It ended up that I was able to get DSL Lite (768K) for $19.95 a month.  I then ordered a new device that is out called Magic Jack that plugs into the USB port on your computer and to tha you put in the phone line and you can make unlimited local and long distance calls anywhere in the US and Canada for $20 per year.  This will provide her phone service.  She has been using prepaid cell phone minutes and those have become very expensive.  The device has a one time cost of $20 plus $6.95 shipping.  My friend Rod has one of these and I borrowed it yesterday and tested it out, including long distance calls to Missouri and South Carolina.  I also ordered the device and service for our home and we will be able to drop our long distance service and save over $200 a year and if I decide to drop my local service as well it will save us over $700. You can see what I am talking about if you do a Google search for Magicjack.

Ruth, it is a nice feeling to know you can retire at any time.  I am sure you will make the right decision.  It is too bad your last working months have not been pleasant.

Pat, glad it is warming up a bit up your way.  We are finally getting some decent rain this morning.  There is more in the forecast for the next several days.

Ed, this fine site was started by Pat several years ago.  I sort of have lost track how old the site it.  She gets the credit for its fine design and keeping it going.

Hi Samantha, nice to see you posting.

Marilyn, it sound like doing the shot is the least drastic and the other can be done later if the shot doesn't help.  I am sure your dogs do miss you while you are gone each day.

Etta Sue, cats really have delicate stomachs unless they live in the wild and then who knows since they wouldn't be getting prepared cat food.  It sounds like you have a number of fun events coming up during the next few days.

Jane, isn't it frustrating when your ISP doesn't work and you keep testing without results and wonder if it is ever going to come back.  Glad you are back online now.

Al, how many students do you have studying Greek?

Hi Colin.

Janet, I know you are enjoying having your grandsons around for the holidays.  Sorry that your eyes aren't improving as quickly as you had hoped.

Nita, I know you are going to enjoy your time with your daughter.  Good to see you posting.

I am driving to coffee this morning but have a pretty clear slate for the rest of the day.  I need to make a trip to the bank a little later but don't have any other scheduled activities.

Hey Larry!

That phone service sounds wonderful.  I'm going to keep that in mind.

As to when we first started:  Here's a link to our very first topic:

http://www.christianphotographers.com/community/index.php?topic=2.0

Good Morning, To one and all who enter here today.

Ed  check out thee websites Artificial Joint Replacement,
New Options for Joint Pain, andThumb Joint reconstruction

Larry my hand is not ready for surgery yet, It is not bad enough. I haven't decided yet on the Cortisone injection. For now it is the new brace and Hand Therapy we will see how that works out. I  just want the pain to go away. The Doctor said that my x-rays showed sever Arthritis in both hands. God healed me  10 years ago  of this and it was worse then than now. I believe God is going to heal me again.

Thank you Etta Sue for your reply to my email about the Potato Soup. I have looked at so many recipes that I think I can make it in my sleep now that I have althes recipes in my head. 

It is all frozen outside this morning, the paper said it would be 29° overnight, it was 33° at 8PM Brrrrrrr Well no snow here anyway.

Marilyn's right - thankfully no snow here - but I do see lots of frost on the roof next door.  But no rain this morning, either.  We've had a goodly amount so far this year, and we're a little above normal in rainfall.

Marilyn - thankfully, we can always know that it is God alone Who heals, whether by medical means or without medical means.  All the laws of nature are His laws, and man may only use them under His sovereignty.

Happy Friday to all of you!

We had a fun evening at the kids' last night.  The plan was to have Christmas with Meme before Mark drives her back to Salina today.  Her mother and two brothers are to arrive there today from California; her maternal grandparents live there.  Anyway, she was having such a good time, enjoying being around an intact family, she begged to stay until Sunday!  (Her parents are split, have been fighting over custody of the boys for FOUR years, bad scene I guess.)  So anyway, permission was asked and given for her to stay longer.  So we get to have an extra Christmas celebration.  Curtis and Toni are there, with baby Alexis, so this Grams was in seventh heaven!  And I get to do it all again tomorrow!!  Life is good. 

Larry, what a good deal that sounds like for telephone service!!  I'm going to have Darrel take a look.  Between cell phones and two lines here (one is a dedicated fax line for his business) our phone bills are WAY too high!  Thanks for the information.

Etta Sue, you girls have a lovely day today! 

Marilyn, I think I would opt for the cortisone shot and get the pain under control right away.  But you know what you think best.  Good luck with it.

Ruth, I always remember little Flower the skunk in the movie Bambi saying "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."  So cute and what a good lesson or advice for all of us.  I do hope things improve on your job, and sorry you're having a rough patch.  ((((hugs))))

Hi, Ed!  Good to "see" you!

I have lots to do today, getting ready for daughter and family from Salina who are coming in the morning!

Hey, Pat!  How are you?

Jane, glad you could get in long enough to say HOWDY, at least!  Wishing you a wonderful Christmas.

I see Al has popped in while I was typing---hi, Al!

See you later!

What a great time Kitty and I had together!  What a wonderful 'gift exchange' with each other....our time together.  We ate at Cracker Barrel, then went to Kitty's.  I watched a DVD that she put together for Alex, her grandson, of pictures taken when Bob and Kitty took him to St. Louis.  She also got kits to make books of pictures of the trip and one of Katie growing up.  Well, she isn't grown up yet...will be two in March!.  Kitty fixed lunch for us and Bob came home from work and ate with us.  Then we were off for Kitty to get a mammogram.  She was done in less than an hour which surprised her.  I told her I know why!  Then I let her know that everyone in the mammogram office that was leaving was saying Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Everyone was getting 12 days off for Christmas and New Year and Kitty was the last patient! 

Then we went to the Half-Price Book store and to Robert's Camera Shop.  Then to Don Pablo's and then home.  I am so glad I am not a shopper and have to face that traffic daily!  Worse than Florida in the wintertime!! 

Now I thought I was getting to stay home today but Ivalou had a mammogram yesterday also and they called her to come back today for more imaging.  One area is iffy so she wants me to go with her.  They told her they would have the answer for her today.  So at least, she won't have to wonder over Christmas if there is or isn't anything to be concerned about. 

So I best be getting on doing the things I like to do daily on the net.  Also doing some laundry!

Hi Janet!  I'm just fine thanks!  Just trying to get tidying done before tomorrow! 

Etta Sue, I'm continuing to pray for Ivalou. 

God bless you both.

Would We Know?

If we had been the shepherds one night long ago,
I wonder if we'd recognize the star or if we'd know
The reason for His birth and if we'd really go
To worship at the manger.  I wonder, would we know

Is it really any different than if Jesus came today
I wonder, would we recognize His face in any way
Or would we turn away from Him
Not knowing what to say.

If Jesus walked among us in our hurried, busy pace,
I wonder if this stranger would really find a place.

Source Unknown

I get teary-eyed just thinking about the Christmas music at church.  It brings on so many memories.

Snowing a little here but 3 in. today south of Denver.  We had wind - good grief.  Glad that we didn't have to take the freeway.

Larry:  It is so upsetting to even think of your aunt injured and alone in the freezing cold.  I am so sorry. 

Some of the Christmas cards are bringing sad news of losses of old friends. 

Terribly on the go much too much this season and I can't control it but thankful to be healthy enough to keep on going.  Carol

I'd like to challenge us all to remember each day of the next year the meaning and implications of our Lord's advent - of His coming into this world in just the way He came and for just the reasons He came.  Let's be challenged to avoid forgetting His coming.  Let's not let it be only a once-per-year remembance and celebration.  Amen?

Amen, Al!

What a great challenge for sure.

Larry:    Does the phone line through the computer echo back when you are talking?   Some of the phone deals that we have in Canada which I am using one does echo and I have to be aware to whom I call because they might not hear  well, age of the person is the real hinderance.  

This was the last day of work for 2 wks and that feels real good.  I now have some time to myself to reflect.    I went to Wal Mart this morning and although the store does not really matter but I met a friend that had lost her husband 2 -3 years ago at the time she did not drive as she felt that she was too nervous but not  long ago she gave it a shot at trying and yes she is now driving for the first time ever and I think she is between 50 & 60 yrs young.  Good for her.

Until tomorrow.     Ruth  

Hi Ruth!   I remember the days of two weeks off!  But that was before I was in the office and then we didn't have much time off at all!     Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

I have company arriving tomorrow so been a busy day today getting ready for this.

I just read what I posted about Ivalou having to return to the Women's Center.  It sure sounded like I was calm but my insides were doing flip-flops.  But those flip-flops were unnecessary!!!  Thank God, there was nothing to be concerned about.  But she does have to return for another mammogram in June!  Great news from God for Christmas.  You know, whether it is good news or bad news, God helps us turn the bad into good and if it is already good, my, how we praise God for the good.

Today Ivalou and I have been invited to Kaye Don's oldest daughter, Robin's home for his children to celebrate Christmas with a meal.  Kaye Don has four children, Robin, Tracy (a man), Lezlie and Keri and their spouses, their grandkids and a g-grandchild.  Not sure if the g-g will be there.  They live in Philly.  And Lezlie lives in Michigan.  But whoever is there, it will be great!  Kaye Don and Barb will miss it. 

Well, the temp is almost springlike today.  The high is to get to 52°!!!  It never got to freezing all night.  All the snow is off my deck and there is only patches of snow elsewhere.  Doesn't look like a white Christmas in Indiana....good for those who have to travel! 

Hi everyone.  I will start this posting and then finish after I get back from coffee.  We ended up getting very little rain here yeserday, just cool and damp and chilly.  Pat had a doctor's appointment around 3:30 so I took her up to the mall area, not a fun place to go this time of year.  I did go to Fry's as they had a very good sale on AA batteries and I stocked up with about 200 of them and will give some to our granddaughter to use with the toys that require batteries.  Had a quiet evening at home and went to bed early. 

Pat, since we have retired I find that I just never have time off anymore.  Hard to believe you have had this site open for almost 4 years.  The time goes by so quickly.

Ruth, on the MagicJack, I only used it a short time and my friend has only used it for brief periods but have had no problem with echo although when I called my son's cellphone he said he was getting a bit of an echo and some dropped words.  When I called him back on his house phone we had a crystal clear connection at both ends.  I am sure there may be some calls that the quality won't be as good as the phone company but you can always hang up and dial right back for a different connection over the Internet.  I will know more about that after using it for awhile.

Al, a very good reminder concerning the holiday and remembering all year long.

Carol, I think my aunt's situation is a good example of why older folks should not go out alone at night especially with icy conditions.  She probably would have been all right if she could have gotten her garage door open but couldn't for some reason so drove around to park in front of the building.  She was fortunate that she didn't break a hip.  We are getting some bad family news from the Denver area as learned last night that my cousin's wife, who helped me so much with the family reunion, is to have a mastectomy right after Christmas. 

Etta Sue, you certainly had a busy day with Kitty but it sounds like you had a throughly enjoyable one.  I hope Ivalou gets a good report back from the second imaging.  My best friends wife just went through that same situation yesterday and had the followup and was assured she was fine.  It is certainly making their holidays much brighter. (See you posted while I was posting that Ivalou got a good report.)

Janet, glad your family get togethers will continue a little longer and it sounds like Meme would like to be a part of your family.

Marilyn, glad to read that you are not having to do something about your hand immediately and if it is in God's will I am sure he will deliver you from the pain once again.

I have a meeting to attend this morning and then will grab a sandwich and head down to Atlanta to pick up our daughter for the holidays.  Not looking forward to the drive but sure it will be fine.

Wish I could drop down there, Etta Sue, and enjoy a coffee with you both!

Larry, that's not good news about your Denver family!  Take care and drive carefully to Atlanta!  Yes, 4 years!  Imagine that!

Hello everyone,  I finally have sometime to get caught up with my Internet reading. I have been so busy this morning cleaning , washing,  shopping and taking the dogs to the groomer (where they are now) I have done more laundry today than I usually do in two weeks. I washed all the dogs bedding, the sofa cover and the covering I keep on my bed as well as the two lord of my regular laundry.

I now have everything assembled on the table that I need to make my pumpkin cheesecake. I have to make it today as I will not have time  on Sunday or Monday. I will be working on Monday morning and in the afternoon making the soup for that evening and doing more straghtening up before the kids get here at 6PM.

Amen Al!!

Larry sorry to hear about your cousin's wife and your aunt. That I forgot to mention the other day.

Today my hands do not hurt Praise the Lord.