Light at the End of the Tunnel

Grammy Writes, ,

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I rarely check the email account dedicated to my blog anymore, but I did today. Two things caught my attention. The first was a receipt from WordPress for the automatic renewal of my blog domain, and the second was a post from RDP saying the word for today is “ramble”. I immediately thought about contacting WordPress to inform them I no longer wish to continue with Grammy Writes. I haven’t posted since the middle of June and have lacked the motivation to do so. Then I asked myself why—why not revive something I once enjoyed? So, I decided to have another go at this thing I created, and what better way than to “ramble” on and on about why I stopped.

Life gets difficult sometimes. As we get older, the things that slow us down can take a toll. One of the things that has plagued me for several years is nerve pain in my feet. Every treatment option the doctors could think of has been tried and failed. Surgery was the last resort. The procedure, called a tarsal tunnel release, was done July 7th on my left foot. I was told I would be non-weight bearing for four weeks, and after that I could walk with a post-surgery orthotic and special shoe. In three months, they said, walking would not be a problem!

Well, today is August 23rd and I’m still not walking. For various reasons, the special orthotic I need won’t be available until September 9th! Have I spent the last seven weeks feeling sorry for myself? YOU BET! Am I sick and tired of sitting, lying, using a knee scooter or wheelchair 24/7? YES! Is every inch of my body weak and sore from prolonged immobility? ABSOLUTELY!

I am, of course, counting the days until September 9th! 17 more days! When I tell my friends and neighbors how much longer this confinement will last, they all express sorrow at the unplanned delay. But yesterday, I spent some time with my granddaughter. I told her I wouldn’t be able to walk for another 17 days. Her face lit up, and she said “That’s great, Grammy! 17 days is not that long!” I can’t begin to tell you the total about-face that did for my perspective! It really isn’t that much longer, is it? There truly is light at the end of the tunnel! I have no reason to pout and be miserable when, with a slight attitude adjustment, I can do what I can for now and look forward to mobility soon!

As far as the blog is concerned, I finally realize I don’t have to walk to write. And while I can’t take new photographs right now, it’s not as if there aren’t plenty of old photos to share, like this one that works for Lens Artists Challenge – It’s All About the Light. So, thank you for letting me ramble, and we’ll see if this newfound inspiration continues!

Ragtag Daily Prompt: Ramble

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #162 – It’s All About the Light

57 Comments

  1. I certainly hope it does. I have a girlfriend in her 50’s that has such bad neuropathy that she has had toes amputated, and it’s 9 months since the first surgery. I helped her out and paid her mortgage as I felt so bad for her.

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    2. What a lovely read. Out of the mouths of babes. Your granddaughter has a wonderful way of looking at life. Finding the little positives is sometimes very hard. But if we can, then life doesn’t suck so much. Good luck on your journey of healing.

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  2. Well welcome back to the blogosphere GW, I wondered what happened to you. I share your frustration in my own life. We had a fire in our home on June 11th and are still not able to live there. We keep being extended for various reasons but now are hoping to be back in by Oct 1. That’s not so long now is it?! 😊 We are in Delaware for a family reunion this week and a sign on the fridge says “The barn burnt down, now I can see the moon”. All about our perspective isn’t it?!

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    1. Oh my, how awful to have your home damaged by fire! Perspective may be just a word, but what a difference it can make in any situation. Thanks for sharing the sign on the fridge – I love it! Best of luck to you, and thanks for the welcome back.

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  3. Oh my! I send sympathy and empathy … and a bit of optimism for both of us to adapt to life with less mobility than we’d prefer …
    I’m not in as dire straights as you (yet) but tomorrow I meet with the Orthotics doc to begin trying whatever(s) to realign my body so that I can walk w/o tripping and falling … and to get rid of the sciatica caused by the tripping and falling. I’m braced for initial overwhelm, but crossing my fingers. Doing nothing is clearly not productive.
    Thank goodness writing can occur in various positions … I’m glad you’re giving the blog another chance as I’ve very much enjoyed your posts.

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    1. Dear Jazz – I hope you had a beneficial appointment today, and that whatever the doctors have planned for you will take care of all your issues! It is so deflating when your body doesn’t improve but your mind wants it so badly! Thanks for the sympathy, empathy and optimism… and for the sweet comment about my blog!

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  4. It’s funny how another’s perspective can change your own, isn’t it? I hope you feel better soon and that your granddaughter continues to brighten up your life!

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  5. I’m sending you healing thoughts and prayers! It’s so good to hear from you and I’m so sorry for all that’s been happening. You can ramble on and on whenever you want and don’t worry about the photos. Like you said, you can use older photos too! I love the end of the tunnel photo, it’s not too far away!! ❤️

    I’ve been thinking a lot lately why do I blog? I’m going to take a little blogging break, partly because I’m busy but also to refocus and breathe. I hope you heal up fast!! ❤️🙏

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    1. Thank you so much for the positive thoughts and prayers, not to mention the encouragement! I totally understand needing a break from blogging, but don’t forget to come back. Take care!!

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      1. Isn’t it just! They don’t filter things like we do, they just tell it as they see it. I’d forgotten what that was like until my granddaughter came along.

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  11. It’s great to have you back, Linda and I am sorry to hear that you spent the last seven weeks in pain. Living with pain makes day-to-day life difficult. It touches every single part of your life, from hygiene to cooking, to relationships, to sleeping and that’s why I want to wish you a speedy recovery! I hope each new day brings you closer to a full and speedy recovery! Aiva 🙂 xx

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    1. It’s so true that pain consumes you! I am lucky to have a wonderful husband who has taken on the cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc, plus gets me every little thing I could possibly need. I feel guilty, but blessed. Thank you so much for the well wishes and for the welcome back. Stay well!

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  13. You have truly had some trauma in your life, but maybe you’re coming out of it now. So glad you’ve decided to write again. We’ve missed you! And I agree with you fully: we have plenty of photos we need to share, so let’s just do it. I’m starting my 11th year, according to the same note I received from WordPress like you did, and I guess I’m up to it. At least until I get tired of looking through my photos. Welcome back!

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    1. Wow – 11 years! That’s impressive! I am hopeful things will turn around soon. Thanks so much for missing me! I hope you continue to enjoy going through your photos… they bring back such memories, don’t they? Stay well.

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  14. Pingback: Light at the End of the Tunnel – A.J"s WORLD THINGS.

  17. Good to have you back. I too have had nerve pain in my feet and it came on suddenly in January. I had to use crutches and then a single crutch. Am only now walking without any support, but, in spite of doing all the exercises and using orthotics, I still have odd fuzzy feelings in my toes. Going for cortisone injections soon. V frustrating as I feel I want to run, but something is turning me into an old lady when I feel about 30! No surrender! Hope your new orthotic does the trick. Felt such affinity with you.

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    1. Oh no! Sorry to hear you are experiencing similar problems with your feet! It’s no fun, is it? I hope the cortisone shot works for you. I had cortisone and steroid injections, plus something called Prolotherapy which is basically an injection of sugar water and saline. None of it worked for me. Best of luck to you!

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