Monday, May 9, 2011

MAKING A MOVE – SACRAMENTO TO SHINGLE SPRINGS, CA

Odel’s last physical therapy session was this morning.  We had lots of questions for the therapist, and I made a short video of a technique I can use on Odel’s knee to help him reach that holy grail: zero degrees of extension (he is around 3 degrees shy of full extension now).  I know he will be able to get there as long as we keep working and stretching his leg.

The flexion, on the other hand, is great – 117 degrees when last measured.  We have been walking a couple miles for the last several days (Odel using a cane, mostly for balance), with no additional swelling of the knee.  Everything seems right on track.

As for me, the steroid ointment I got last week did wonders for my allergy.  I continue to apply a prescription Hydrocortisone cream twice a day, and I suspect my itchy, red, swollen condition would return if I stopped.  We have not been successful in finding a cause, but we have a plan!

I have a follow-up appointment with the dermatologist tomorrow morning.  Odel has his six-week post-surgery appointment a week from tomorrow.  Between the two, we’re moving 40 miles east into the foothills (to the Placerville Elks Lodge).  It probably is not far enough to escape the copious and varied pollens on the loose around here, but even a change of scenery will do us good, I suspect – we’ve been here at Cal Expo for TWO WHOLE MONTHS!

When we come back a week from today, we’ll stay just long enough for Odel’s appointment – then we’re outta here, heading north to wherever the weather is appealing.  If my allergy problem hasn’t cleared up after a couple of weeks out of the Sacramento Valley, we’ll have to face the fact that it may be something IN Scoopy, something related to the renovations – but we’re keeping an optimistic attitude (now possible, thanks to the miraculous recovery wrought by the steroids). 

I can hear the highway calling our names…

16 comments:

  1. That is exactly the way we travel! We go when we want to where the weather is good! No reservations, no schedules!

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  2. Rocky Point is waiting just in case! We even have four kayaks now, and two of them with nice big cockpits, room enough for an Odel! Good to hear from you. Keep in touch.

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  3. At first I didn't see the 'Springs, CA' in your title and thought you now had shingles! Glad the cream worked and you're both doing better. Looking forward to reading about your interesting travels.

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  4. Glad to hear Odel is doing so well and that your allergies appear to be under control for the moment.

    We visited Placerville a couple of years ago and loved the area. We got our son some apple butter from Boa Vista Orchards and he said it was the best he ever tasted. Hope you have a great time there.

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  5. Glad to hear you eyes and Odel are doing better! We will hope the move helps!

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  6. Great to hear that you are getting some relief from the allergic reaction. Also great to hear about Odel's progress. Life is Good!!!

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  7. I'm glad to hear Odel is doing so well. His hard work has definitely paid off.

    I'm also glad your symptoms are better. I still think you should consider changing detergents, just in case the brand you have been using has made some minor change to their formulation. It couldn't hurt.

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  8. Yea!!! Let' get this show on the road!!! I have faith that Scoopy isn't the problem with your "crud"...Sometimes nerves will do weird things...

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  9. Come on up here to Oh Ridge near Lee Vining! With two inches of snow on the ground, and overnight lows in the 20's, there's not much pollen. Not much electricity either! Good for Odel and his amazing progress -- and good for you for finding relief!

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  10. Something similar happened to me. Turned out to be the new carpet "out-gassing".
    It might not be the outside air, but the INSIDE air. Running a carpet cleaner repeatedly over everything new (with just fresh water) should do wonders.
    Opening all the windows and turning on all the fans saved my day. Do this as soon as you possibly can so you can get off those nasty steroids. Good luck!

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  11. Glad to hear you"re able to move on down the road a bit and especialy glad to hear thbe allergic reaction is subsiding.

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  12. My daughter was very sensitive to the blooming bottlebrush plants that grow in sunny California. Once we moved to central Oregon, she hasn't had any problems since. Her symptoms sound very close to what your experiencing. Just a thought.

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  13. Glad to hear the ointment is helping. But hope you can identify and cause and get away from it soon. Enjoy your little trip. Congrats to Odel for his great recovery (and to you for helping him reach his goals).

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  14. Here's hoping the move clears up your allergy!

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  15. So happy to hear that you both are doing so well... Wish you knew the cause of your eye problem but I suspect alergies too.
    Have fun & travel safe
    Donna

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  16. Am hoping by now you have found some freedom & relief from the allergy problem. We just never know what little malady is lying just around the corner for us do we!!

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