Sunday, February 28, 2010

" Frosty Mor'n "

Today being the last day of February, I'm really dreaming about Spring. Warm sunny days to dig in the dirt...........I ventured out this morning to find the farm covered in frost.......






I can't complain as some of you have been knee deep in snow for weeks now.........
However I am proud to say so long to February and the fury she has shown..........

This flower bed struggling to grow is frosted over..........



A thin sheet of ice covers the bird bath...........


This morning I let the chickens out for the first time!!






Let's hope Max will be able to get them back in by dusk.............




We had to buy more hay this week as winter has lasted longer than normal.....
It's frosty hay this morning......






The cattle are wondering why I'm out so early.............







Big Momma had a baby calf yesterday.............









I think the cattle are wishing for Spring and some tender grass to chew on...........








I've been suffering for the past few weeks with back problems that have now started to affect my shoulder and left arm. I lost the feeling in my left pinkie and my left hand tingles like it's asleep most of the time. I'm left handed so it's a real problem. I went to the doctor this week and I'm scheduled for a myelogram. In the meantime he wants me to stay off the keyboard as much as possible because that seems to make it really flare up. So I'm going to be scarce around the blog world for awhile. Just this little bit already has my back feeling like it has fingers crawling all over it. If any of you suffer with this also I'd appreciate advice. I'm too chicken to have surgery but it may be in my near future.









Have a great week everyone!






















24 comments:

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I understand about your back problems. So do what your doctor says!!! But we will miss you until you can come back full time.

Arlee Bird said...

Problems that involve the left arm always sound. I've also been having problems in my back, legs, and hips. The doctor told me to stay active and gave me a book of exercises. I think I've been sitting at the computer too much.
Good luck to you and hope the diagnoses is basically similar to mine.
Lee

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Carol, We just got home from Arkansas --and had a wonderful time.

I have been having trouble with pain in the upper part of my right thumb (I'm LEFT-handed also).. I got one of those carpel tunnel braces for my wrist/hand and it has helped tremendously.

Mine doesn't hurt when I am on the computer. Mine hurts when I try to turn something --like open a jar lid...

I'm not sure that mine is carpel tunnel. It may be arthritis or just a nerve problem. BUT--I haven't been to the doctor yet. It's not that bad.

Try that wrist/hand brace.. You can buy them most anywhere. Maybe it will help a little.

Take care!
Hugs,
Betsy

KB said...

Hi Carol,

That third photo is surreal. Really beautiful.

I have a setup that makes typing etc almost completely pain-free, except if I type for hours on end. I'll take a photo for you and send it later.

I'm so glad that you went to the doc about your symptoms. They're falling into the worrisome category. I'm surprised, however, that he ordered a mylagram rather than a neck MRI. Those are pretty outdated due to high radiation. Did he/she say why not an MRI? It's expensive but harmless.

It involves a very small and light cart on wheels that raises my laptop so that the screen is visible with my head perfectly level. Then, I have a 'lapdesk' (they sell them at OfficeMax, etc). On the lapdesk, I have a wireless keyboard and mouse. In that position, I can type with almost no strain to my neck or wrists.

Do you have a laptop or desktop computer?

BlueRidge Boomer said...

Oh girl......you described my right arm and shoulder to a tee!!My doc told me to stay off the computer also!!.....i've tried to back away...but...it keeps calling my name!!

Enjoy....LindaMay

NCmountainwoman said...

I will miss you, but hope you will take care and get better soon. Loved the frosty farm.

Rosaria Williams said...

Exercise! Best advice I ever had. Sorry to hear about your maladies. Hope you do feel better soon.

Glynis Peters said...

Thanks for sharing the photographs. We had frost overnight for one night here in Cyprus. It burned the tips of my citrus trees.
I hope your back feels better soon. Take care.

Vicki Lane said...

Beautiful pictures! Hope the back problem gets sorted out soon. With fine weather coming, we'll none of us want to be at the keyboard!

Take care!

Deb Shucka said...

Gorgeous pictures as always. I hope you recover quickly. Yoga has helped me tremendously with my back issues - both upper and lower.

B. WHITTINGTON said...

Carol,
I loved reading your posts and look forward to going back and catching whatever I missed.
As for numbness and tingling in your pinkie - it might be as simple as carpal tunnel. I had the surgery which was simple back in the fall. Not much recovery and outpatient. Hope you find the problem. No fun giving up the keyboard. I love the south and look forward to more of your work. Barb
www.barbwhitti.blogspot.com

Pat in east TN said...

I am more then glad for February to leave too and sure have high hopes for March! Hope your problems get solved and you can get back to doing all the things you love best.

Tess Kincaid said...

Love that steam rising off your pond! Take care of that back, Carol. xx

Wobegon Cottage said...

Hope you feel better soon!! I think it is all this silly weather. We need Spring to come early. My whole body has been aching. I just may head to the hot tub to see if that helps. Hope you find out what is causing your pain and see you when you get back. Take Care of yourself.

Arkansas Patti said...

Carol, I have been having little finger problems and little finger usually indicates Ulnar nerve entrapment. Carpal tunnel is usually the thumb that gets numb and pain in the wrist. This site helped me.
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00069
Staying off the computer for a week and a new pillow have helped me a bunch. Also working on computer posture which is pathetic.
Loved seeing the free range chicks.

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Hi Carol, sorry to read about your back problem, I've been through lower back surgery, so know what you are suffering.
I also had a numbness in my left little finger, and was losing the large muscle in my left hand. The diagnosis was a trapped Ulnar Nerve (fuuny bone nerve) caused from a bump or fall on it. I didn't have either of those suggestions but still ended up having Ulnar Nerve tranposition surgery. I truly think it was from spending too many hours on the computer and resting my elbow on the desk.
Anyhow, I hope this sheds a little light on a posibility.
Those pictures are just so stunning, especially the calf and mom, and mist rising above the pond.
Take care dear friend, and rest your hand as much as you are able to do so.
Hugs,
Jo

NitWit1 said...

I've had carpal tunnel releases on both hand in the late 1980s. the syndrome as returned in a milder form. I will not have another surgery until it is a whole lot worse.

Carpal tunnel pain is the thumb to the ring finger. The other hand numbness, I guess the ulna, starts with the pinkie and does not include the thumb. Doesn't matter if it stings and burns.

My hands were so bad pain medication was a laugh. I would stand at kitchen sink and run ice cold water on them.

I also have nerve compressions in the neck which affect either shoulder, should blade, neck and arm. I so far have avoided surgery by using a over the door traction device which stretches the bones apart than may be pressing on the nerves. So far it has work after about 3-5 days of 30 minute sessions. Good time to read a book while "hanging yourself!" That's what I call it. Good luck.

NitWit1 said...

I've had carpal tunnel releases on both hand in the late 1980s. the syndrome as returned in a milder form. I will not have another surgery until it is a whole lot worse.

Carpal tunnel pain is the thumb to the ring finger. The other hand numbness, I guess the ulna, starts with the pinkie and does not include the thumb. Doesn't matter if it stings and burns.

My hands were so bad pain medication was a laugh. I would stand at kitchen sink and run ice cold water on them.

I also have nerve compressions in the neck which affect either shoulder, should blade, neck and arm. I so far have avoided surgery by using a over the door traction device which stretches the bones apart than may be pressing on the nerves. So far it has work after about 3-5 days of 30 minute sessions. Good time to read a book while "hanging yourself!" That's what I call it. Good luck.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Oh, sister sounds like carpal tunnel. I have found yoga helps.

God bless and have a great week!

steviewren said...

I hope your vacation from the computer will be short but effective. Maybe your nerves just need a rest. Take care!

xinex said...

Sorry about your arm, Carol. COuld it be carpal tunnel syndrome? Try wearing a magnetic bracelet (I hope my husband does not hear me, lol)), It helped me and even if it does not work, it won't hurt trying. Is it still cold in MS? I have been in FL for the last 3 weeks and I am going home on Sat. Hope you feel better....Christine

Unknown said...

So sorry to hear about your back, etc. problems and glad that you're going to seek help. But what is a myelogram? I've had back problems for the past 30 years and recently, shoulder, groin and leg problems but haven't heard of this myelogram. Maybe they're missing something!

Take care and make sure you have a good physician... or two.

Marguerite said...

Beautiful pics, as always! Oh Carol, I am so sorry to hear about your back and hand. Take very good care of yourself and get well soon. You will be in my thoughts and prayers, cher! Hugs! Marguerite

Midlife Roadtripper said...

I'm so sorry about your back. Most painful. Rest well.

The winter has been most long. I've lost plants I've had for over 20 years. Replanting in a most busy spring will offer challenges.

Take good care.