This morning was overcast with a light mist when John left for his morning walk.  The clouds hung around most of the day as did the humidity.

We left the house right after breakfast and headed over to the clinic in Uvalde where I signed a medical information release form so my x-ray report could be sent to them.  The PA had wanted me to check in as well to let her know how the steroids were working.  I told the receptionist the pain level was still pretty high and I still couldn't be up on my feet more than a few moments at a time.  She said she would talk to the PA and get back to me later in the day.

We needed a few staples such as milk and fresh produce, so our next stop was Wal Mart.  I knew I wouldn't be able to walk through the store, so John got a little wheelchair with a basket and pushed me around.  I must say I felt a little self-conscious being wheeled around but it was interesting seeing the shelves and the store from a different perspective.  

Our final stop was, of course, Wendy's for some lunch before hitting the road back to the fort.  Once the groceries were put away, John went over to the driving range and then played a round of golf.  While he was gone, I got more of the Christmas cards done--hopefully, I'll get that job completed tomorrow.  The clinic called and told me they were giving me a prescription for a stronger pain medication.  John ran into town, picked it up for me, and I took the first pill with supper.  I have trouble with pain meds making me nauseous, so I hope this one will work out and give me some relief.

This evening I experimented with my Kindle and downloaded and watched the first episode of Downton Abby on it while John watched some TV.  I will have to do some more digging on Amazon and see what else I can watch.

John had another beautiful morning for his walk.  While he was gone, I slept in for an extra half hour.  
 
Our original plan for the day was to head over to the clinic in Uvalde first thing this morning so I could sign a medical records release form for my x-ray reports from home to be sent down here.  Since we were running a little late, we decided that plan had to be put off until tomorrow as we couldn't be back by noon when we needed to meet Wes and Shirley at the clubhouse to set up the couple's golf.  

With our plans changed, John headed off to the post office for the mail and stamps and a quick stop at the local grocery store for a couple of items we needed.  I decided this was a good time to tackle the job of writing our annual Christmas letter and getting the cards started.  With an hour of uninterrupted time, I got the letter completed and most of the envelopes addressed.

After lunch we headed down to the clubhouse where we met up with Camfield's and got the couples' golf entries set up.  We were pretty busy for the next half hour or so as folks came in to pay their money and pick a number for their starting hole.  Once everyone was out on the course, John and I came home to wait for the rounds to get over.  While I was on the computer, Amy Skyped me so we spent the next hour visiting and catching up.  Then it was back to the clubhouse to check scores, determine the winners, and hand out the cash prizes.  

John headed out to play a couple of holes of golf before supper while I worked on the Christmas cards again.  This evening John listened to Sam's basketball game on the computer while I watched a couple of my favorite shows.    

We had an absolutely picture perfect day here in south Texas with blue skies, sunshine, and low humidity.  John was up and out nice and early for his walk this morning--I'm still a no show.

After breakfast, John went over to the driving range for a little practice before heading down to the clubhouse for men's golf.  Twenty men showed up this morning, so the group divided up into five teams of four each.  John's team won again with a score of two under par.  Over the past week some more Winter Texans returned to the fort, so the number of golfers keeps growing.

John and I managed to get some laundry done this afternoon before he wanted to go out to play some more golf.  Since the weather was so nice, I went along and road in the golf cart while he played.  I can sit without pain, it's just the standing and trying to walk that's out of the question.  It sure felt good to get outside in the fresh air today.

As you can see from the pictures, it was a gorgeous day for being outside.  We spent a quiet evening watching Survivor and visiting with the kids via Skype.

John had a nice sunny morning for his walk today.  I slept in while he was gone as I still can't walk without pain.  

After breakfast, John headed over to Unit 37 to pick up a set of extra car keys from Chuck.  John might have to go to Del Rio on Friday to pick up Chuck's car if he can't find a parking spot at the airport.  John then spent the rest of his morning visiting with Ralph and then the Sandwicks.  On his way past the RV park he saw that John and Theresa Bridger were back and stayed to visit with them.  I thought he got lost and couldn't find his way back home since he was gone so long.

Matt called this morning to give me the radio stations that will be broadcasting the Clearbrook basketball games so we can listen to them on the computer.  He also told me they had a big change in the weather and the temps had dropped drastically overnight with minus zero wind-chills today.  I just had to tell him how warm it was here in Texas.  I don't think he appreciated my sharing that bit of information.

This afternoon John headed out to play a round of golf while I stayed at home watching a movie and reading.  I'm taking my steroid pills, and, so far, there is a little improvement.  Still can't put weight on the right leg, but I hoping it will be better soon.  John is doing a great job as main cook and clean up guy.

 

Our day started off overcast with a light mist.  John walked the golf course this morning and was a little damp when he returned home.

A little after 8 a.m. he called the doctor's office to find out his blood test results and to make an appointment for me.  He was able to get a mid-morning appointment and found he would learn his lab results at the office.  Following showers, we hit the road to Uvalde where we arrived about 15 minutes early for my appointment.  After filling out some paper work, we both went right in--no waiting at all.  The doctor listened as I told her my symptoms, did a little testing of reflexes, and decided the first course of treatment was to take steroids for six days to bring down swelling and inflammation of the nerves.  If I don't improve over the next couple of days, I'm to call her and she'll decide the next course of action; otherwise, I'm to see her in two weeks.  I have been banned from golf until she gives me the okay to play again. BUMMER!!

Next John got to hear about his blood test results.  Seems his cholesterol has gone up some since his physical in August, so the doctor wants to put him on a very low dose cholesterol med.  All his other results were well within the normal range.  With prescriptions in hand, we drove to Wal Mart where John ran in and dropped them off.  Since it was now a little after twelve, we hit Wendy's for some lunch and to wait for a call from Wal Mart telling us we could pick up the meds.  

When we returned home, I took the first dose of steroids.  I really hate taking them as they make me hyper and I have a difficult time sleeping.  The doc told me those were some of the side effects, but I'll deal with that so long as it decreases the pain level and I can get around.  I told John to imagine your worst charlie horse pain and double it--that's what I've been dealing with.  Hopefully, the steroids will kick in soon and I'll get some relief.  

Late this afternoon John headed to the driving range to get some practice in and to work on his drive.  Since I can't play in couples on Thursday, I'm trying to talk him into playing with someone else.  I can help run the round, but I can't play even if I am pain free.  Our evening was a pretty quiet one spent watching some TV and working on the computer. 

 

   

I am still out of commission, so John once again took his morning walk alone.  Following breakfast, he headed off to church for the Sunday service.  With the pain in my back and down my leg, I can't walk very much and also have to keep changing my position, so attending church was out of the question for me this morning.

John made us some lunch when he got home around noon and then we watched some of the Vikings/Green Bay game. We did manage to get our tree trimmed while watching the game.  When the Vikes started playing poorly, John gave up and headed out to play some golf.  I spent the afternoon alternately reading and watching a movie on TV. 

I am hoping to get in to see a doctor tomorrow--I think I might need a steroid injection to calm the sciatic nerve.  Hopefully things will turn around soon as I am tired of sitting/laying around the house. 

I am still dealing with a severe bout of sciatica, so my whole day was spent either sitting or laying down as it's just too painful to walk.  That being said, the blog today will have to be about John.

Since I was incapacitated, John took his morning walk alone.  When he returned home he made us a very nice breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast, and coffee and then straightened up the kitchen before getting cleaned up for the day.  

We had another beautiful, warm day so this afternoon John headed off to the driving range and then played a round of golf.  I spent most of my time reading and managed to do some financial work on the computer.  This evening was the Frontier Christmas celebration in town, and as much as I wanted to attend, it just wasn't possible.  We spent some time this evening watching college football and just relaxing.