Have a nice weekend: how are you feeling health-wise?

Dear community,

I hope you have a pleasant weekend. How are you feeling health-wise at the moment? Do you have plans for the weekend?

Unfortunately, not so well. I spent the spring and summer in the hospital because my legs suddenly gave out from one day to the next. I had two spinal surgeries, but unfortunately they didn’t help much. I’m now paraplegic and have to learn to navigate life in a wheelchair. It’s not that easy, but I’m not giving up—crocheting works just fine while sitting.

Oh dear, Ruth—I’m sending you a virtual hug. It’s not easy, and I believe you completely.

As for me, I’m having mixed days—it’s always up and down with the osteoarthritis and neuropathy. But I won’t let it get me down, even on days when the pain makes me want to throw everything against the wall. Thankfully, I have a great support system that’s there for me when things get really bad.

Today, my husband and I baked a cake again, because we’re celebrating another birthday tomorrow.

I also have some fabric pieces laid out next to my sewing machine that I plan to start sewing this weekend, because sewing helps me get through a lot. I’m even able to knit again—though not as long or as often as before—but I’m back at it. :-)

Best regards, Inge

Have a lovely weekend, everyone here 

Best regards, Inge

Oh dear, Ruth, that’s really tough.

Is there still hope that things will get better?

My sister was in a wheelchair for a while after a fall that resulted in a vertebral fracture, but with rehab she managed to get back on her feet and use a walker again.

Sometimes it takes a while for the nerves to heal—I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.

I’m completely drained right now, even though I just got back from vacation.

My other sister’s move is still taking its toll on me, and starting Monday, there’ll be more to do at her new apartment. There’s still plenty of work to do—for example, the kitchen countertop we ordered needs to be picked up and installed, and she still needs new curtains… all those little things that really add up.

My godson is moving in November—he’s getting all the empty moving boxes now. He’s already asked me for help planning his kitchen…

And my other sister finally wants to order her new kitchen, too—she moved last year, and after living with the existing, not-so-great kitchen for a year now, it’s about time. She also has a few specific requirements regarding workflow, since she’s not quite as mobile with her walker anymore.

By the way, people are always asking me for help because I spent years as a technical drafter planning commercial kitchens (hospitals, restaurants, etc.).

Let’s see when things calm down again.

Best regards, Claudia

Oh my, dear Ruth, that’s really tough. When I read all this from the others here, I realize I’m actually still doing okay.

Well, in a situation like that, we’d have to move, because we live on the 3rd floor without an elevator.

I’m sending you all a virtual hug from afar and hoping for some relief or improvement. We’re all reaching that age now where it can happen to anyone. But you wouldn’t wish that on anyone. Most of the time, it’s the kind, lovely people who don’t deserve to suffer like this who get hit the hardest. Oh man. I just can’t get over it. I’m truly at a loss for words.

Warm regards

Andrea

I’m wishing everyone a wonderful weekend, too! And I’m going to send out a few big virtual hugs right now—you could all use them!

My skin cancer has been very active this year, but right now it should all be gone, and hopefully it’ll stay that way for a while. It doesn’t really bother me that much, though—it’s just a bit of a nuisance depending on where it is. The back is awkward when you’re single (but luckily I have a really sweet neighbor), and the shin wasn’t exactly a walk in the park either—it just lacks that protective layer of fat—but eventually everything heals up and works just fine again. And since I’ve been dealing with this for 35 years now, I’ve gotten pretty used to it.

Well, age. It can be quite a challenge sometimes. Who was it who so aptly said: “Getting older isn’t for the faint of heart.”

Veronika, that was Blacky—Joachim Fuchsberger—who came out with that line, and he’s soooo right

Best, Inge

That’s right, that was the one!

Dear Ruth,

I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery. When I read this... I hope things get better again. Sending you a hug.🫂💐

I’m actually doing okay with my knee osteoarthritis. Even though every step is very painful. And when it really hurts, I always think of the “butterfly children”—they’re in much worse shape than I am. It even hurts them when you try to hug them.

Warm regards, Marieclaire

Get well soon 💐 to everyone who isn’t feeling so great right now. I hope you feel better soon. 

I’m actually doing fine, but I’m busy with school—I have another vocabulary test tomorrow 😒. But compared to other things, that’s nothing.   

Have a great start to the new week 🤗

Best regards, Salome