About Me

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Delta, British Columbia, Canada
I took very early retirement from teaching in '06 and did some traveling in Europe and the UK before settling down to do some private tutoring. As a voracious reader, I have many books waiting in line for me to read. Tell me I shouldn't read something, and I will. I'm a happy, optimistic person and I love to travel and through that believe that life can be a continuous learning experience. I'm looking forward to traveling more some day. I enjoy walking, cycling, water aerobics & and sports like tennis, volleyball, and fastpitch/baseball. I'm just getting into photography as a hobby and I'm enjoying learning all the bits and bobs of my digital camera. My family is everything to me and I'm delighted to be the mother of two girls and the Gramma of a boy and a girl. I may be a Gramma, but I'm at heart just a girl who wants to have fun.

Monday, September 20, 2010

J is for Joints


As if that big jokester in the sky hasn't given me enough jabs and jolts lately, I recently found out that I can't take any more NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or any regular anti-inflammatory medications (like Advil). The joyous news is that these drugs have affected my kidney function. Isn't that just the juiciest bit of jarring news ever!

Yes, I'm limited now to Tylenol for the pain of osteoarthritis, which caused all my back problems since the age of 29, and the newer pain of some rheumatoid arthritis in my hands. Just great! But as I said to my wonderful new doctor (a lady), "I'd rather have a bit more pain to deal with than jeopardize the life of my kidneys."

So today I joined up again at the pool, taking what we call "Gentle Fit." Jumping (and I use that term loosely) into the pool, the ladies formed a circle as we awaited our leader. It was quite amusing as we went around telling each other why we were there - hip replacement, awaiting hip surgery, angina, triple spinal fusion, etc. etc. Ah, well, we jested and joked about the alternative.

I took it easy today to avoid jarring my joints, but I have to admit I had a jolly good time and even remember some of the others' names. Naturally, there were the aquatic form of jumping jacks along with cross-country skiing, jogging, and other fun forms of exercise. The jury is still out as to whether or not this will help to alleviate the pain I live with. However, by my judgment, journeys to the pool three times a week can't hurt any more than I already do.

Oh yes, the bathing suit still fits!

39 comments:

Powell River Books said...

Good girl, I should do a bit more exercise myself. - Margy

Beverley Baird said...

Great post for J Leslie!
I am in the same boat - I can't take anything like that for my arthritis.I only have one kidney and I really want to protect it!
I use heat a lot (magic pads are good). I've tried different rubs but most don't last that long. I try to keep active - lots of walking at school. But sometimes I just nget so tired of always having pain.
I am still keeping you both in my prayers! Take care.

nancygrayce said...

Hey, at least you're doing something! I have just become a lump that never moves. I absolutely have to start an exercise program. I hear pool exercise is really effective. Let me know how it goes!

Shrinky said...

Poo, so sorry the meds have rebelled on your body, so unfair! I think you are amazing, and the pool exercises sound a great step towards an alternative aid to ease and limber your joints. I hope it helps.

♥♥ Willa ♥♥ said...

That's a lot of healthy J to do! :)

My ABC Wednesday

Annelie said...

Great Job Leslie! Well done...

Annelie E
ABC Wednesday team

☺lani☺ said...

I love your post for J! Happy Mid-week!

Cezar and Léia said...

It's very interesting, I know nothing about these anti- inflammatory medications reactions, thanks for the advice.
Good luck with your aquatics goals!
Hugs
Léia

Sylvia K said...

Terrific post for the J Day, Leslie! And good for you to be exercising. I don't do as much as I should simply because my knees are such a mess, but I ride my stationery bike and am grateful for a wonderful acupuncturist who is really the one that keeps me moving!

Holding good thoughts for both of you!

Sylvia

MaR said...

Good for you!! hope the "Gentle Fit" also helps to alleviate your pain...Keep up the good work-out!

My ABC Wednesday

Gigi Ann said...

Sorry, the meds have to go. I hope the Tylenol will help relieve some of the pain. However, I enjoyed your many uses of the J words today.

Rune Eide said...

They say there is Joy in Jogging, so where better than a pool to do it? Take care!

photowannabe said...

Sorry to hear about the latest jog in your life journey. I do really hope the pool helps. It sounds like it should and I guess it can't hurt. Thinking of you Leslie.

Carver said...

Great post for the letter J. I'm sorry you aren't able to take NSAIDs. I hope that the pool exercises help.

SDCrafts said...

Hiya Jumping Jilly
Just because you tried to help your pain does not
Justify your body reacting badly in the kidney department. But the idea that
jumping in the pool with other health-
jeopardised ladies DOES
justify you being
jolly proud of yourself!

Reader Wil said...

You are a brave lady doing all those exercises! I hope they make you feel better. I am sorry that you suffer from arthritis. Take care.

Rajesh said...

Great collection of words. Exercise is always good and helps a lot. Take care.

Self Sagacity said...

A great round up of Js. Why can't I do that? Smiles.

EG CameraGirl said...

I'm glad you are getting more exercise but what a bummer about the medication!

Kay L. Davies said...

I don't know if my bathing suit still fits.
So sorry about your kidney function and all, Leslie. My doctor recently told me I couldn't take any more ibuprofen because of my stomach. I have been talking about exercising in the water for a long time, but it will have to wait due to one of my other health problems. It looks like such fun, and I have a friend who will go with me, so I'm hoping I can do it soon. I'm very much looking forward to it, and glad to hear you enjoy it.
Kay,
Alberta

Joy said...

Hope the water exercise helps the pain, that and the laughter of the group.
My grandmother had rheumatoid gout but she refused to give up the only thing that gave her pain relief (not so many things around in those days) so her kidneys eventually packed up.

Tumblewords: said...

Good for you to get started on this method - I'm such a stop/start person. For a while my dedication is admirable, then the slippage begins and pretty soon I find that starting over is the next step. Take care of yourself - sending good thoughts!

Roger Owen Green said...

I really ought to take that up. My left knee just can't bear running. Hope you feel a little better w just the Tylenol.


ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Roger Owen Green said...

I really ought to take that up. My left knee just can't bear running. Hope you feel a little better w just the Tylenol.


ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Hildred said...

A great post Leslie, - after a bleed a few years ago Charles had to give up his anti-inflammatory and now depends solely on Tylenol - amazingly he now has less pain, and less danger to precious organs. I hope it works that way for you, too. Love your Jolly J's

Wanda said...

Wish I could fit in my swim suit.


Good for you...it was a good read.

Carol said...

Methinks there is a bit of tarnish on these "golden years". I hope the pain isn't or doesn't become debilitating. With all our medical marvels, wouldn't it be wonderful if they could come up with a solution for things like arthritis?

Rumya said...

Lots of J's there!! :) Will join the 'stay-fit' regime to live a healthy life!! Have a great week!!

Nanka said...

Seriously taking up the health regime. Can't take jogging but walking can surely help those ailments I guess. Inspiring J post!! :)

mrsnesbitt said...

I love swimming but do not visit our local pool as ex-pupils work as life guards and I find it all a little too intimate - I mean how embarassing to be rescued by an ex-pupil who at one stage I taught to swim! lol! Yet in my keep fit attempt I know I must think of an alternative and we have an aqua fit session - now there's a thought!

Thanks so much Leslie. Much appreciated - I so appreciate the time you take to document what you are going through and you know you have love and support here!

Dxxx

Liz Hinds said...

I hate jumping jacks on land. (Make me need to wee!)

Well done, you, on being proactive in dealing with the issues. I hope it helps. It is funny, isn't it, comparing the delights of not-so-young-age?

How's old Cranky?

Mara said...

I hope the pool will help. Otherwise you might just have a great morning with some nice people, which is a good thing.

Snow Leopard said...

Good to know that you had fun doing the exercises. Take care of yourself and stay healthy. :)

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http://unpredictableblog.wordpress.com/
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Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Jumping jiminy! What a line up of j's!
The pool is a good choice. My husband started over a year ago and loves it. The best part is that your body is not fighting with gravity.

Amy said...

Leslie, I enjoyed your "j" fest - good for you! Water exercise is a fantastic option.

A Restless Mind With A Sensitive Heart! said...

J for Joints... didn't think like this! very interesting!

RESTLESS

A Restless Mind With A Sensitive Heart! said...

J for Joints... didn't think like this! very interesting!

RESTLESS

Unknown said...

Dear Leslie,
I keep hoping that this text is fiction just for the letter 'J'!
But something tells me that it is factual.
Beautiful post about a purplexing problem!
My father had osteoarthritis.
I'm no doctor, so I can't give you any good advice other than that I think that exercising in the pool (especially if the water is warm) may be a very good thing. The water supports your body and the strain on your limbs and joints is less.
Take care of your kidneys.

To talk about another subject. You and Lorne have inspired me to think about weddings for couples that are a little older. (You never know. I might find myself in that situation one of these days.) I don't know if I will be able to pull it off. Time is often a problem. This is for 'Mrs. Jenny Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday-B', this Thursday September 30th. Otherwise, I'll just have to write a poem about 'Bears' or 'Bottle-tops' or 'Bell-bottom pants'!

I'll keep you posted.
Best wishes & hugs,
Anna

Anna's J-word (abc-Wed rd-7)

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