She Was Linda Pain Today - (Alamo, TX)

As we did our morning safety run prior to our Monday tram runs, Linda felt a twinge in her neck.

She always gets a little bit of a warning before her neck and back "go out" and she can barely move.  Sometimes she is able to work it out and prevent the pain.  Other times, like today, she can't.

She gets to the point where she can't raise her arms and she can't turn her head independently.  She struggled through the tours today as her condition worsened.

Fortunately, our PA system worked today - it does have a mind of its own - so she didn't have to strain to be heard.  I offered to do the talking and just let her drive, but she ignored me.  :)

On our first tour of eight folks, we got this Roadrunner to pose for us for a few minutes.

It's kind of funny.  Some people from the southwest couldn't care less about these birds since they see them all the time.  Other people, like us, get really excited about them.

Deep down, that is one of the reasons I want to full-time forever.  I don't ever want to get to the point where I take for granted the wonderful things we see.  And that just naturally happens when you are in one place for a long time.  :)

In between our first and second run, we were greeted at the Visitors Center by Jerry & Jan.  Having no idea who they were, we learned that they are from Kentucky and are friends of my Aunt Pat.  Knowing they were coming to The Valley, she had them look us up.  Cool!

So, Aunt Pat, if you're reading, and I know you are, here is proof that Jerry & Jan came to see us!  :)

On our second tour, we saw a Bobcat on the tram road at a distance - again, no picture.  We also saw an American Woodcock which is sort of a short-legged, chubby, sandpiper-looking bird that digs for worms in the woods.

That bird was a first for us and we are being told that their existence here in the Refuge has never been confirmed with a photo.  So we will try to keep the camera ready for that guy next time.  That sighting was a much bigger deal than we thought.  :)

Also, on that tour we had a gentleman in the front row that really wanted to see a Roadrunner.  Toward the end of that run, another one obliged.

Sometimes it works if you order up what you want to see.  :)

On our third tour we had to add the trailer.  Mondays had been our slowest days of the week for the tram, but not today.  :)

Linda struggled through all the runs in pain.  She is always a trooper.  Fortunately, this is the week we do three straight days on the tram.  She wouldn't be able to do the canoes if it had been our canoe day on Tuesday.

After the tram runs, she went over to the rig of one of her beading pupils where the gals figured out what supplies needed to be ordered.  One of the ladies is a massage therapist, so she tried to relax Linda's muscles a little before bringing her home.

When they dropped her off, I headed into Alamo to pick up a pizza for dinner at this place called Peter Piper Pizza.  Think Chuck E. Cheese on steroids!  :)

There seems to be a Peter Piper in every little town here in The Valley and their pizza is pretty good.  However, I have to say I miss not having a Papa John's around.  :)

Papa John's is headquarted in Louisville and made us forget all about Pizza Hut, Dominoes, and all the rest.  :)

Our cupboards are getting bare, but we are close to our monthly food budget for January.  I'm trying to hold off on that next big grocery run until February, but I don't know if we are gonna make it.  :)

I thought we might stretch a big pizza out a couple days and take away Linda's constant worry about what we are having at the next meal.  :)

We have plenty of room in other categories in the budget for January to pick up some food, but it's a game for me to try to stay within our line-item limits.  Besides, it's not like we are going to starve to death in two days.  :)   

Hopefully, a good night's sleep and a heating pad will make Linda feel better in the morning.  This neck problem is a bad one.  I know it's bad when I have to help her into bed like tonight. It's always the same thing, but the severity differs each time.

I know she's miserable, and there's not a lot I can do to help her.  Hope it's just a one-day thing.

At least she learned that her sister is coming to visit us here in March.  That perked her up a bit.  :) 

 

Comments

[Beverly Pieper]

Sounds like Linda is in desperate need to see a Neurologist.

[Jerry & Annette]

Hi Linda,
We hope today will find you feeling better. We will keep you in our prayers.

[Judy Schmader]

Hi Linda I do hope you are doing better with the back, I have pretty much the same problems with mine, having to just roll very easy out of bed every morning.
BTW the Road runner is the state bird of New Mexico.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

[Donna & Larry Staas]

Hey Guys! Just a quick note to say my Dad was a Chiropractor and kept all of the family "in line". Get her to a good one that believes in "hands on" manipulation. Dad has passed on but I found a good Dr. that saves my life from time to time. You've got to put the bone back in place to get better. If not, the same problem will continue to crop up! Good luck and by the way, LOVE the website! We have a fifth wheel.....

[Mary]

Sorry to hear about your pain, Linda...hope that eases soon. As for pizza, we always enjoyed the food at Mr. Gatti's on 2nd Street in McAllen.

[Kathy Salsbury]

Linda,
I pray that your pain eases soon, and you get back to feeling well again.

[Mike & Pat McFall]

HELLO Folks!!!
Started checking your daily activities a while back. Sounds like your having a good time. Except for the sore back. Thats no fun, hope it gets better. We are still selling PressurePro like crazy here at Escapee Park in Congress, AZ. on our lot. Next week we start our "tour". Doing 2 months of Rallies. Our DriWash waterless car wash business is taking off also. Too busy for a couple OLD folks.:-)....You guys take care and we'll continue to track your daily activities. Just wanted to say HOWDY!!!!!
Mike & Pat McFall

[Judy Healy]

Linda,
Sorry you're not feeling so good. Might be time for a visit to the Dr. If you haven't had a CT in the last couple of years, the new machines are much much better.
My Dr's say the detail is so good that the Dr's aren't even sure on some CT's (mine is one of them) what they're looking at.
I've had two series done six months apart and will have another one in about six more months just to ensure there's no change in the "cysts" (we think).
Of course, if your neck problem is in the muscles or soft tissue then a CT won't be much help but hope whatever it is gets better quickly.