Sunset over Washington Park

I’m not who I used to be just a few short months ago, but I’m not considered to be “really” ill, either. Instead, I’m somewhere in between. Lisa and I have tried for weeks to figure out what’s wrong with me. We have visited numerous doctors’ offices, I’ve had mass quantities of blood drawn, and even went online to better understand what ails me. 

Yes, there is definitely something wrong. The joint pain has been over the top.  We have had no diagnosis that we can hang all my pain symptoms on other than polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).

Naturally, I have became stressed. The psychological effects have taken their toll.  I don’t have a new identity that takes into account my loss of possibilities and capabilities, and I haven’t adjusted to those differences and losses yet. 

The physicians and other health care professionals we have consulted ruled out some things, but after awhile, no one knows exactly what is ailing me. The simple fact is no single test can validate whether or not I have PMR. I have all the symptoms (aches and pains in my shoulders, buttocks, and hands, limited range of motion, fatigue, weight loss, etc) so therefore I must have the disease. A disease that can last anywhere from six to thirty months.  After remission it can come back later in life with a vengeance. 

The doctors say corticosteroid medications are helpful in reducing symptoms and are my only option going forward.  My orthopedic doctor gave me a cortisone shot in each shoulder on Monday which has alleviated most of the shoulder pain and has allowed me to sleep the last couple of nights. The cortisone has also migrated to other joints offering some relief.

The naturopathic doctor recommended adhering to a well-balanced Mediterranean diet that can provide additional benefits and can also counteract some of the side effects linked to the corticosteroid drugs. Fortunately, Lisa already does an excellent job of making sure we eat well.


Lisa and I were having dinner with friends the other night and I was asked about my PMR. Half way through my commentary they became disinterested and turned away. Maybe if I’d been diagnosed with a condition better understood and sanctioned by the medical establishment (like cancer), I’d likely receive the sympathy and support offered to those who are really ill. Neighbors and friends might actually leave casseroles or offer to mow our yard.

I’m going to have to carve out a new identity for myself that accounts for this new health issue. The adjustment isn’t going to happen overnight. Luckily, Lisa and I will be in Hawaii in a little over a week and I can’t think of a better place to make an adjustment.

Ian has been busy in his new business and I’ve gone along with him on his inspections once or twice a week.  Last week, as we were cutting away some berry bushes, I found a humming bird nest hidden in the vines.  Not only was the nest tiny, it was well hidden because of being decorated with soft plant fibers, moss an lichen.  Notice the use of spider silk as threads to bind and hold the nest together?  The nest was also lined with feathers and fluffy seeds.  I wonder what type of humming bird built the nest?

We have been allowing Vivian to accompany us on the back deck.  She seemed to like viewing the birds, rabbits, dear, and other wildlife that frequent our back yard.  At first, Vivie was a bit scared in her new surroundings, but as time went on her confidence increased and she became more relaxed.

I built a screen barrier at the top of the steps to keep her on the deck.  This allowed us to leaved Vivian on the deck unsupervised.  The other day, after a frantic search of the deck that turned up no cat, Lisa found her outside hiding in the bushes next to the house.  Vivie has now lost her deck privileges.

Lisa’s nephew Jacob and his friend Brian brought out an old truck from Utah to deliver to Ian and Kaylene.  In return, Jacob loaded up their old Dodge SUV on his trailer and took it back to Utah.  Apparently it was a good trade.  In the short time Jacob and Brian were here in Anacortes (overnight), we took them to the top of Mount Erie and to Deception Pass Bridge.

July is the last month in Intuit’s fiscal year which means Lisa was busy with work all month long.  Even on the night of July 31, while we were out to dinner, Lisa was checking last minute details, making sure the close went smoothly.  It did.  Lisa got lots of kudos for doing such a great job.   

To me, Lisa is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her (Proverbs 3:15).

 
On Tuesday I went to the gun range with a few church members.  Aaron, pictured at far right, has a membership to North Whidbey Sportsmen’s Association.  This allowed us to shoot at their gun range.  I brought along only one gun, my .22 revolver which I’ve owned for 50 years.  It has always been my favorite handgun.  Pictured are the two targets I shot at at 15 yards distance.  Willie, the tall guy in the center, was surprised by my shooting accuracy.  Willie said, “Is there anything you are not good at!”  

My first 18 warm-up shots

My next 12 shots