With the help of fellow breeder Tamara Hill (Rocking Hills Ranch flock number 84 – my flock number is 1480!), as of today my whole flock is sheared. All of them were pretty good or very good about it but one. Bauble was the 13th sheep we sheared, and she seemed determined to prove the superstition about that 'unlucky' number. After an easy and cooperative start she started fighting us, jumping and bucking or trying to collapse completely; by the time we got her done (off the stand for everyone's safety), Tamara and I agreed to call it a day. At least no one got hurt, other than our aching backs. I didn't take many photos this year, but had to take at least one to capture Bauble's lack of cooperation:
 |
| 3/27's IG/FB photo |
I don't know how much skirting I'll get done before surgery. I have a lot that must be done before April 9 as well as our church's women's retreat this weekend that I've already paid for, so skirting may have to wait until later. I forgot to snip side samples from two sheep before shearing them, so those would be the ones I'd start with in order to get all my samples mailed off to Texas A&M for micron testing sooner rather than later.
I saved my waste wool to mulch my rhubarb this year, which is something else I hope to get done (along with the requisite weeding) before surgery. I'm worried that recovery is going to keep me from having a vegetable garden this year, unless Rick takes the initiative on garden prep along with everything else he'll be doing. (He has already done a little work on our one-year-old strawberry patch, but has a lot left to do.)
Surgery looms closer and ever more real. My pre-op appointment with the PA was yesterday, after another set of x-rays were taken specifically to guide the procedures. The PA showed me the hardware I will have and briefly described their placement in a way that sounded like no big deal but clearly IS a very big deal. I understand that pain control is a must in order to do the exercises that will determine a good outcome, but the thought of being on narcotics scares me almost as much as the surgery itself (it doesn't help that I've been listening to Tommy Orange's books). I have a prescription for an at-home surgical rehab machine that I'm told by my doctor's office that my insurance has approved, but am awaiting confirmation of that. And I have an estimated pre-pay amount for my surgery (that probably doesn't cover the two-night hospital stay) which would cover a very nice vacation for two. Good thing I'm a home-body!
Besides the above photo of Bauble and one of daffodils, my IG/FB photos have been all about the sky shows lately. Enjoy – I sure have!
That's it for now from . . .
4 comments:
It's getting closer and closer! I know you are going to be so happy once the surgery is complete and you are on your way with your recovery journey. The narcotic pain meds . . . this is something that I continue to have in the back of my mind (for when I eventually get my new knees) because I am allergic to pretty much all the opioid drugs. I've been able to take NorCo (for only a couple of pills), I guess because it's synthetic rather than the real thing. I'm allergic to codeine and morphine . . . . When I get to that point in the process I suppose I will be having a long and detailed conversation about pain control. Anyway - it sounds like you have got everything in order. I'm very excited for you that you are able to move forward like this :-)
Jake had his double knee replacement at about age 55. He did just fine at cattle and crop farming with a minimum of help. You should do just fine with all the stuff that you do. He just had his first shoulder replacement replaced after 15 years (before the knees). The passive movement machine was great. It didn't exist 15 years ago.
(continued). We both felt like you do about the drugs and didn't have a problem as long as we didn't stay on them very long. There was always some left over in the bottle from the pharmacy when we stopped them. Mine were used when I was 79 and 81. Read your blog everytime you. post.. Met you at WI Sheep and Wool a few year ago. My first lambs arrrived Thursday, one day early
A, hopefully your surgeon will have some good options for your pain! I am hoping to get off the heavyduty stuff ASAP.
Sharrie, of course I remember you! So nice to know you are a regular reader, and also wonderful to hear more surgical success stories. Congrats on the commencement of lambing season; may it go smoothly.
Post a Comment