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Sooner Than Later

28 Dec

I thought I would go back to playing golf only by the new year but I thought wrong. Two days ago, I played because my golf buddies missed me, I do too them, hence I agreed to the game. Initially I felt trepidation as I wasn’t sure if the Wrist Tendonitis would act up. The feeling was almost bordering on fear and that’s not good, having a negative outlook for something I once enjoyed and love.

So I changed my grip, adjusted things a little bit here and there, and it turned out to be an enjoyable pain-free outing which was nice. Only the rain prevented us from finishing 18-holes when it came down fast and hard with three holes to go.

I must say the adjustments helped tremendously as it quelled the negative feelings and the enjoyment returned. I even managed to score three pars, on a Par 3, Par 4 and amazingly on a Par 5. The company was great as always. And I used hubby’s Never Compromise Stubby Putter (yes, it’s conforming) instead of my usual Scotty Cameron Squareback. I figured if I have to relearn how to play again, I’d better use equipment that is even more forgiving.

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The cute sturdy Stubby is a sure one-putt putter!

I think the mental state of mind over the situation played a role and I am glad I played sooner than later to sign off 2018 with a positive as far as my golf is concerned. And I now look forward to 2019 for my next game with confidence and hopefully, pain-free as well.

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The Last Session

18 Dec

Last week, I had my last therapy session for the Wrist Tendonitis and there’s good news and bad news. The good news is the tendon area has recovered well. I just need to continue with the strengthening exercises to ensure it’s strong enough for me to go back to playing golf next year.

Now the bad news. There was some tightness on the joint of the thumb! A new and unsuspecting development, stemmed from carving which I was doing extensively prior to going off to Penang. Sigh… I have to figure out the best balance and solution to this. Otherwise, horrors of all horrors, the carving has to stopped.

With Christmas around the corner, perhaps the carving can slow down or cease until the end of the year. We’ll see how it goes.

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Getting Organized

11 Dec

Two months ago, hubby had a big package delivered to the office. The package, wrapped in newspaper and clear plastic, was a racking system for his plants. And it has been set up at the side garden.

It took some time to get things organized and when it did, the garden is now looking much better with less potted plants everywhere. It’s a good thing too because with the constant rain, the garden floods due to the excessive water as the drainage is not fast enough to clear the onslaught.

And the display? I must say it’s looking very organized with all the pots sitting on all three tiers of both racks. He even had shades put up to protect the leaves of the bromeliads from the direct afternoon sun. But now with the rainy season, the shades shelter the leaves from rain.

Although I don’t look at the plants daily, I am appreciative of the neat garden.

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Setback for the Frangipani

10 Dec

The frangipani tree has sprouted new leaves. Initially the new leaves looked fine but it was too early to tell. But now that the leaves are more and bigger, the situation has not improved even with treatment some time back.

In fact, the rust fungus seems to be even more! Yikes. It’s a setback for the tree. So this time, hubby trimmed off all the leaves by himself without waiting for the gardener and his team to come and do it.

And it’s a good thing the netting that he placed over and on the branches was not removed. So it’s still functional to shade all his collection of air plants and bromeliads from the sun now that the tree is bald again.

The tree itself is fine, standing tall and sturdy; it’s only the leaves that are problematic. I guess this problem will not go away nor be cured. Sigh.

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I Ain’t Heavy, I’m Just Obese!

4 Dec

Yesterday, I was at a new hospital for my annual checkup. The doctor whom I see annually has relocated to this new establishment and as such, being a new patient there, I had to register. He’s a good friend as well as being our doctor, hubby and I would consult him on health matter wherever he practices.

To get my record started up, my vitals had to be taken. And as I stood on the weighing scale, the reading showed an additional five kilos, I was horrified!!! I’m like, “Whh-aaattt?!” Not only I am heavy, I am obese! Just earlier in the morning, I stood on our bathroom scale and the reading was definitely five kilos less.

How could I have put on five kilos when I fasted the night before and during the hour-long journey to the hospital with a rumbling tummy, obviously empty and hungry? A discrepancy of a kilo or two may be possible but five? Unbelievable. Or has my bathroom scale been lying to me all these years? Hmm.

I’d like to believe the clothes are the culprit here. But then again, are my clothes that heavy? They’re Uniqlo jeans and a Liz Claiborne shirt, both light material and comfy wear. I did not remove my shoes though but the light weight Skechers can’t be that heavy too. Maybe I shouldn’t be too upset about the whole thing because I know I certainly ain’t heavy nor obese.

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Does It Work?

3 Dec

Sometimes the itch to buy something from online is very strong, I’d just do it. Nothing exorbitant but satisfying to indulge.

Several weeks ago, I bought a mini drill tool set which has been totally awesome to use; and I also bought two types of nose clips–supposedly capable to reduce or even eliminate snoring–to try. Who might it be for? The person in bed who snores of course!

The first package, five pieces of silica gel anti-snore clips, came in a little container, and I must say, it does work! The nightly loud snoring is now a thing of the past and sleep can be achieved peacefully after several trials and error.

The user would just have to get used to having something up their nostrils on a nightly basis and the person sleeping next to this person will and do appreciate their willingness to use it. The sleeping position is important to have the maximum noise reduction because at certain angles it loses its effectiveness.

The second package was of a more elaborate and bigger contraption because it also acts as a filter but looking less comfortable. Then again, it may be okay for others. However, it remains unused for now, so we will never quite know its effectiveness.

But I don’t think it’s a waste of money buying both clips for if we don’t try, we’d never know which works and which does not. And still have to deal with the nightly loud snores.

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Tiny nose clips and big nose filter to suppress the snores!

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Ongoing Therapy

30 Nov

My physiotherapy is coming along fine despite it being just once a week. The therapist said there’s improvement but I must continue with the home exercises and she even added a new routine for me to do to strengthen the area which is still weak.

I have been mindful not to exert too much and strain the wrist and thumb when I carve. With two more sessions to go before the year ends, I think I should be fine by then. Otherwise I may have to extend another round of treatment. We shall see.

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Plastered with orange KT Tape

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The Beautiful Shield

23 Nov

I have been monitoring the stag horn in front of the house, taking its picture every two or four days apart. And it has flourished to become a beautiful shield. Hubby concludes that the spot is perfect for growth despite the wonky weather.

Two weeks ago, it was very wet with a lot of rain just about every day and strong wind on occasions. Then the weather changed, now it’s hot and not as wet.

Nevertheless, the spot is good. So he decided to place another fern behind the existing one. Let’s hope the relocated fern will also bloom well in this unpredictable weather condition.

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Treating the Wrist Tendonitis

15 Nov

I finally got around to seeing a physiotherapist this week after consulting the sports doctor last week to treat the Wrist Tendonitis. It looked like the ‘damage’ is not that extensive although the left hand looked slightly atrophic. Gosh.

The tendon along the thumb to the wrist hurt only when probed. The rest and minimal usage has been effective although I must admit I have been carving but being very careful not to aggravate the situation.

Immediate measures to take besides rest are four sessions of ultrasound therapy within a month and regular strengthening exercises which I must do twice daily. And I should continue using the Acupuncture Meridian Pen for added self-treatment.

With these steps and proper care, healing and recovery will be faster. The good news is I don’t have to sit out the year from golf. Then again, with the weather being so wet until year end, I don’t think I am missing out.

For now, I should apply KT Tape to the affected area for support and at the same time protect the tendon from further injury. Otherwise I wear a wrist thumb brace which works just as well.

I am thankful this turned out much better than I had anticipated. Phew.

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Thriving Garden, Part 2

8 Nov

Lately, I have been noticing the staghorn fern in front of the house, something I don’t normally do. And it’s rather exciting to see a new green leaf growing and wrapping itself onto the shield frond. How refreshing it looks! This is despite the wonky wet and hot weather that we are experiencing.

But I now wonder how long will it take before it turns brown. Hmm… I guess I have to watch the fern more closely the next few days.

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The photos were taken four days apart.

 

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