Holidays can be hard...

[labblab]

Well, we got an early Christmas present here in north Georgia — six inches of snow!! It’s been perfect and beautiful:-). Started on Friday morning and snowed through Saturday morning. Luna has loved romping in the snow, although she was scared by a big snowman that the kids built across the street. Too funny!! The snowfall was bittersweet for me, though, because I kept picturing Peg outside in our rare snowfalls of the past. The flakes always looked so beautiful on her shiny black coat, and she loved to scoop up big mouthfuls as she raced around the yard. Missing her so much all weekend, especially since we finally got the Christmas tree hauled inside the house and put up in the stand. I started decorating yesterday and will finish today. But you all know how that feels. Again, so bittersweet. Right now, the house seems filled with ghosts of Christmas past. Hoping to feel cheerier as we get closer to the holiday itself. I keep telling myself that every new day is a gift that ought not to be wasted. If only every day actually ended up feeling that way...

[Budsters Mom]

Sounds lovely and bittersweet Marianne. Yes, holidays are not always filled with joy for many of us.

I won't be decorating or putting up a tree. It's the first time ever! I fractured my back mid September and have been wearing a spinal brace that encircles my entire torso, so I'm frankly physically unable to do the work that involves Christmas set up this year. Even though my heart is usually not into the holidays, for various reasons, I usually do it anyway, for my folks to enjoy. This year it is just too much! I am working through the 21st, before I go off on break. Yes, working while wearing the brace. There are many more challenges with my folks and just keeping up with their needs has been very difficult and exhausting. So, something has to give, and it looks like it's going to be Christmas. Hopefully my folks will still be around to enjoy next Christmas.

[Joan2517]

Those braces are a nuisance for sure. I wore one when I was a teenager for Scoliosis. It didn't straighten my back so I had surgery and had to wear a body cast instead! For nine months!! Isn't there anyone who can help you with a tree, Kathy? You could just sit and point!

Six inches, Marianne! We only got about three. Gable was out there eating it, he loves the snow. Sibbie kept trying to figure out what was in there that he was enjoying so much. She kept digging and sticking her whole head in, coming up all white! You could just see her wondering what he was after. It was very funny to watch.

Lena was so small, three inches were mountains to her, but she still got around. I used to get so nervous at night because she blended in and I couldn't see her, and because of my back I couldn't risk falling in the backyard. So many memories. She would come in with the snow stuck to her in mounds! We had to melt it off, which she loved. All cuddled up in a towel with me squeezing all the snowballs trying to get them to melt faster. I can't believe this will be our second Xmas without her. It was two years ago this week that she was diagnosed and started the Vetoryl. So many things I wish I had known then...so many things I would have done different. I still feel so guilty that I wasn't there with her when she died.

[labblab]

Yikes Kathy, a broken back does not sound good AT ALL!! Hopefully it is mending! I totally understand about ditching the Christmas tree. I have a bum knee — will find out tomorrow if I need an arthroscopic repair — and I was so worried about wrenching it even worse while we put up our tree. But I managed it OK, thank goodness.

Hey Joan, I had to wear one of those awful braces due to scoliosis, too! I have very bad memories from that time period, that’s for sure. Just when you’re already self-conscious and wanting to be “cute” and blend in with trendy clothes and trendy activities, you’re saddled with that monstrosity of a brace. Truthfully, it was such an awful time for me that I’ve repressed a lot of memories from back then. At least I was spared surgery, too, though. I’ve still got quite an S-curve, but thankfully no back pain (knock on wood!).

[Joan2517]

I must confess, Marianne, that I did not wear the brace like i was supposed too! I would take it off and hide it in the garage, go to school, then put it back on before i went in the house...bad Joan! Lol! The surgery worked, I still have two steel rods in my back. My parents didn't find out until years later that they were supposed to come out! So they are now firmly embedded in my spine.

Yes, as a teenager in high school, it was very difficult. I couldn't wash my hair by myself, my mom had to do it for me while I lay on top of the ironing board with my head in the kitchen sink! I had to wear maternity clothes to fit over the cast. I couldn't wash anywhere inside the cast...used lots of perfume! Was always terrified I would fall. But I survived it all and can look back and laugh at some of the stupid things I did while wearing that cast!

[labblab]

Oh my yes, worrying about tripping or falling on steps and ending up like a turtle thrashing around on its back!!!!! Out of the couple hours each day I was allowed out of the dreaded brace, I picked P.E. classes. I was no great athlete, but just wanted the other girls to see I wasn’t “broken,” if that makes sense.

I honestly don’t even remember how I got my hair washed — one of those memories I’ve repressed, I guess. And what a wardrobe — lots of stretchy pleated skirts and big boatneck sweators. Ugly, ugly, ugly!

I wonder if treatment has advanced. I’m gonna ask the orthopedist tomorrow if they’ve improved on those awful braces.

Well, Joan, who’d a thunk we’d be “S” sisters ;-)))))))))! Imagine that! HA!

[Joan2517]

I know, Sister!

I think it has improved immensely. I read about it a while ago, but have forgotten.

[mommyslittlegirl]

I can’t believe it’s almost Christmas. We got a little snow which is very rare where I live in Texas. I still can’t put up a tree or decorate . I use to love Christmas with my baby. We would share sugar cookies and she would bark and paw at her presents. I would show her the lights on the tree and her eyes seem to sparkle. I miss her so much . I love her so much. All I want for Christmas is you , my baby. May my family here and their fur babies have a very nice Christmas . And the ones who have lost theirs , be comforted my the sweet and precious memories of the Christmas past.

[Joan2517]

Oh, Dawn...how sweet. Lee's eyes used to twinkle too. We would just lay on the couch and watch the lights on the tree Christmas Eve after everyone had left and I had put the presents out for Christmas morning. It was our special time together, just us. Everyone else was asleep. I miss that...I miss her, all the time. She would make herself comfortable on all the Christmas paper as the presents were opened...I don't know why she liked that so much. My little gift-wrapped angel.

Merry Christmas, Dawn...I wish I could help you feel better somehow.

[Budsters Mom]

I'm sure those dreaded spinal braces have improved dramatically since you both needed to wear one. My fracture occured 3 months ago. The brace isn't really that bad, except it chokes me when I need to sit down, due to a steel rod down the front. I am constantly having to adjust it, which means reaching into my clothes.I wear an undershirt, then the brace, then a overshirt. I can't wear a bra with it, which makes me feel really self conscious. On weekends, I skip the overshirt. It is much more comfortable that way. Yes, the look! Thank goodness I don't care about that stuff any more. I look like a hunchback, with a huge hump on top. The kids at work have gotten used to me wearing it and help me when I ask them. They are great at picking up things off of the floor that I'm constantly dropping and slowing down in lines, when I need them to.

We are hoping that my fracture heals, but will take twice as long as normal, if it does. I have osteoporosis, which means weak, crappy bones. I am having a battery of tests done because I had another fracture after being on osteoporosis treatment. I broke my ankle five years ago by just twisting it while I was walking. I'm not sure how my back fracture occured. There was no trama. It started hurting and was found during an urgent care visit. I am now going to be seeing and endocrinologist, to help sort everything out. The thyroid affects the way that calcium and phosphorus are absorbed in the body. My spinal surgeon is pushing for answers/solutions. He has much pull, so now things are getting done. Specialists are being held accountable. Surgery will only be done as a last resort. More damage could be done, since my bones are already weak and brittle. So, as of now, I am seeing my GP, a spinal surgeon, a osteoporosis/bone specialist, and will be seeing an endocrinologist. I am VERY THANKFUL for good school district health insurance!!! So yes, Setting up a Christmas tree is out this year!

I hope all goes well with your knee Marianne.

Kathy