2023 in Review

 Wow.... here we are, December 30, 2023.  One more day and we start a New Year.  I can't believe another year is gone.  I started this year with a piriformis syndrome issue, and still working on getting it fixed.  I also somehow broke my right foot on the outside edge and was in a walking boot for several months.  Low and behold, I am struggling with it again; had it checked out and told it is not broke, but something is going on.  So I am working on getting that fixed again.  I still am dealing with my IBS, stomach issues I've had for the past few years.  The pain is not fun, and the issues that come with it are no fun as well.  I currently had and endoscopy and found I have an infection in my stomach lining, so just starting treatment for that.  Still doing my acupuncture and Chinese herbs for body issues, and get some relief.  Travis referred me to Sonja, who does lymph massage.  It is a strange massage, but I do feel some relief from her as well.  Funny that before I started going to her I discovered a IG person talking and teaching about opening up your lymph track to help make the body run smooth.  To learn this and have Sonja working on me, I am amazed at how the body works.  Definitely something we are not taught in school but should be.  I can't believe how much everything is connected in one way or form.  One last thing that I started battling in Dec, is my breathing.  The cold air hit and I am struggling big time to breathe.  I made an appt, with my dr so I can get a referral to a pulmonologist .... I need to figure this out... sooner than later.  2023 also brought lots of bowling and fun with my friends.  It also brought, in one month, 5 deaths. Many hearts hurt in November, even mine, as two of the deaths touched home.... they were friends.  I also took on an older cat that needed to be rehomed after its owner passed away.  I wish I had great things to say but so far, all I do for this cat is clean its cat box and feed / water her.  She hides from every time I am home.  I am trying Feliway but so far it is not giving me the results it claims.  It's been since Dec 4th when I acquired her, and even with Candyce's help, no progress.  If she doesn't come around by the end of January, I may make the decision to rehome her again, as I can't believe this is good for her.

My goal for 2024 is my health.  I truly am doing everything in my power to heal.  I do not want to die.  Death scares me.  I will turn 67 in January, and honestly, I am feeling older than that.  Right now I can't even walk up stairs without being out of breath.  I know exercise is part of aging and you need to do it, but when you hurt like I do, and have the struggles I have gone through now for TWO YEARS... it gets harder and harder to move forward.  But I keep doing it as I remind myself almost daily that I told these words to my sister when she was complaining about hurting and moving... "You need to move, even if its a little bit at a time".  I need to follow my own advice and I am going to try really hard to do it.  I also want to make time to go see Jennifer and her family. I miss my grandkids tremendously.  I also want to make more time for Ethan and Kalyn so we can know each other better.  Ethan and I and Candyce have a "bowling lunch date" in the future.  Maybe I'll check into this weekend or next.  It is my birthday gift to him.. to take him to lunch where ever he wanted.  He told Candyce he wanted to bowl with me,,, so we're going to make it happen.  :)