to Sandy

[Guest guest]

Sandy wrote: Seeing how I am only slightly tired this morning, I went and

mowed both yards before I ran out of energy. My front yard is 2000 square

feet. I just love doing yard word. My garden and front yard are my pride and

joy.

Dear Sandy,

Funny that we were both doing the same thing the other morning, and with

our difference in time zones, about at the same time of day! I, too, love my

garden and working in the yard. One of the hardest things I've found with

having CP is that I haven't been able to spend the time I normally would these

past years planting, weeding, fertilizing and caring for the gardens and

helping with the general upkeep of the yards. We've got over 45,000 sq. feet

to mow, plant, prune and tend to, and these last three years I've just not felt

well enough to do the stooping, bending, lifting, raking and hauling off of

leaves and debris that I used to. Bob's had to do most of it on his own for the

first time since we were married. Garden-wise, I've usually put in a few new

annual and perinnial flowering plants each year, but have had to really cut

back these past three years.

This late summer and fall have been doubly hard because the many wind and

rain storms resulting from the hurricanes leave the yards full of debris; broken

branches, pine cones, palmetto fronds and leaves strewn all about. This year

we waited until ATW and all the hurricanes and just let the mess grow until we

started picking it all up last week. I had some balloon flowers that I'd

planted

in the wrong location and decided to move them to another garden that got

more sunlight, so I was on my knees, wearing both wrist braces under my

gloves, and digging up a new bed area for those to be transplanted into. By

the end of the afternoon I was aching with the unaccustomed exercise....but

the results will be worth it! It was the first time I'd had the time or energy

to

work in the yard since a couple months ago, and it felt so great to be out there

doing something I love to do! The temperatures had dropped down into the

70's and it was terrific!

I climbed into a hot jacuzzi at the end of the day and tried letting my hands

just

soak, and you're right, it really felt good and they seemed more relaxed and

less cramped after I did that. I'm new to Carpel Tunnel, so all those tricks

are

new to me and that one is one that I'll remember, thanks!

I hope you get the doctor situation straightened out soon, and that your

outdoor work yesterday didn't leave you too pooped out today. Have a good

weekend!

With love, hope and prayers,

Heidi

Heidi H. Griffeth

South Carolina

SC & SE Regional Rep., PAI

Note: All comments or advice are based on personal experience

or opinion only, and should not be substituted for consultation

with a medical professional.