Third Time’s The Charm (Hopefully)

Two years ago yesterday, when I had the first RF ablations done on the nerves in my left lower back, it was almost instant relief that lasted until recently. I went from using two canes to walk and taking pain meds daily to no canes, no pain meds, and was back out on my kayak in a few weeks. Back then, the doctor told me I was lucky because it often takes four weeks or more before a patient begins to feel the effects.

This time, the doctor decided to do ablation procedures on both sides of the lower back, one last Monday and the other yesterday. He was right, I was lucky to get such quick relief after the first procedure. This time around, I hadn’t felt any relief at all from the ablations done a week ago, and when I went back yesterday to have the other side done, it was much more uncomfortable than either of the previous times. I’m hoping it was worth the effort, because right now I am really feeling it. Hopefully, by tomorrow it won’t be so bad. Meanwhile, I am very grateful for pain meds and medical marijuana gummies.

We took a roundabout way home through DeLand because I wanted to check out a place called AAA Guns and Pawn. Somebody told me they have a ton of interesting firearms, both antique and new, and lots of other goodies, too. Whoever told me that was right, because they have over 8,000 guns in stock. Everything from cap and ball Civil War era revolvers to the most modern shooting irons the factories are turning out these days.

Along with guns and accessories, they also have other pawn shop type inventory, including jewelry, tools, sporting goods, and some interesting antiques. I tried to buy Miss Terry a new opal ring since tomorrow is her birthday, but there was nothing there that caught her eye. We will definitely be going back again. There’s no way to see everything in that place in one visit!

Closer to home we stopped at Stavros Pizza in New Smyrna Beach for dinner. On Mondays and Wednesdays, all large pizzas are half price plus $1, and they are excellent. On the way home from there, we went through the drive-through at Walgreens to pick up a prescription for pain meds.

Back at home, there was a large box of books for me from Amazon. I ordered them to replace some of the books I gave to libraries and bookstores and such along our recent trip as samples.

I also had an e-mail from my pal Judy Rinehimer with the first seven chapters of my new John Lee Quarrels book, Pucker Factor, proofread with corrections suggested. I will make them and then send those chapters off to Roberta for another round of proofreading while I start working on some more.

Neither of us had slept well the night before, so we were both worn out and didn’t get much accomplished except for catching up I’m some e-mail and then watching a little bit of television before bedtime. Today’s a new day, and hopefully one with much less pain.

And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.

Thought For The Day – As your friend, I will always pick you up when you fall. Of course, I’ll probably be laughing so hard that I’ll drop you as I do it.