When I was a teenager, my parents would leave the house to go to the grocery or somewhere, and I would stay home. Mama would tell me to wash the dishes while she was gone. I agreed begrudgingly.
However, I would sit for hours and watch TV, getting up to run to the dishes and clean up the kitchen and wash the dishes before they returned. I look back now and laugh at my drawn-out dishwashing and how I fragmented the job to make it last hours. I was not afraid my mother would be angry. I did not want to disappoint her by not helping like she asked.
My habit did not end when I grew up. When I was married and going to school, I would do the same thing, clean house and wash dishes only during commercials. Really, there was not much house to clean.
Then, I had a baby and just took care of baby and watched TV when I could. Later, I had three kids in school and did the same thing sometimes. I was losing opportunities to watch TV since life was all about doing for them and with them and driving them to sports, dance, and school.
Then, a few years later, I spent nights exercising and ran up the stairs in our large and tall house. I could even run up taking two stairs at the time--only during commercials. I had an exercise bike set up in front of the TV, and I did exercises on the floor. For the bike and floor exercises, I did not need to exercise only during commercials.
By the way, with all the TV watching, I never watched soap operas! Of course, some days there was little opportunity to watch TV since there were many rooms to clean and that was done in one big cleaning frenzy some days.
I have never complained how long commercials lasted or how many were shown at one break. I always have something else to do.
Edit: I never left the TV on all day, just a few hours in the afternoon, if at all, and in the evenings.
Today, I had the ultrasound on my thyroid. It went well and took no time. Getting a wheelchair out to take me in and waiting in two successive waiting rooms was what took time.
I called Medicare and Medicaid and was told in no uncertain terms that wheelchairs would not be provided except for use in the home. There was much disdain expressed when I said I could hold onto things and that I had a walker. So, I was I could not get a wheelchair just to go shopping or my recreation. Even when I explained I could drive to the doctor but could not walk the distance to the offices or even to the buildings, I was treated with disrespect. So, I have a call in to my doctor.
It appears a person must stay housebound. I would think a person's mind would deteriorate when nothing outside the house is available. How sad.
I slept three hours on Sunday night and tried to nap after we got home. However, I could not sleep a wink. I hurt all over. I set Tommy to making dinner.
We had two small potatoes he peeled and put in the oven with garlic powder and onion powder. He found thighs in the freezer for him and a breast for me. He opened green beans for me and turnip greens for himself. I told him to find the meat in the freezer. It was his idea to get turnip greens. There was also Romaine for a salad. This was not a fancy meal and none of it has a name like Parmesan Chicken. But, it was healthy for us and filling. He even seasoned the potatoes with the spices I said to use--garlic powder and onion powder.
I am not sure how much thigh is left, but there is enough breast to make two more servings. Tommy said there is another serving of thigh. These meats are some of what I freeze after large amounts are baked in the oven. These days when I am beyond exhaustion and hurting all over, these meats come in handy.
Just now, he came in and was telling me what meats he found--rest of cooked pork loin and cooked ground beef with onions. He is catching on as to how all this cooking, storing, and meal planning works.
Today was a beautiful, clear, sunny day--delightful.
Have you dealt with getting a wheelchair through Medicare or Medicaid? I was worn to a frazzle talking to people in the offices. I felt like I was being treated like a scammer or thief. All the other Medicaid and Medicare offices are so nice, but not durable medica.
When hubs was here, never once did we have a problem with getting wheelchairs - not for my MIL either. All our doctors and hospitals have them available here.
ReplyDeleteStaying homebound only affects ones mind if you let it! My husband was housebound for several years and was very intelligent and sharp as a tack. He created many projects to do and did lots of research for others. Nothing sad about it if you one tries!
Glad you test is over for you.
The key to your statement is "here." I am glad for you. I have letters from doctors stating that it is a liability issue to wheel in patients, or they do not have wheelchairs, or they do not have staff to perform the service.
DeleteNo, "letting it" is not the problem. If a person only wants to be at home, maybe it will not affect him. If a person has a desire to be out and about, attending festivals, concerts, art exhibits and other social activities once in a while, it is confining to be at home. There is a whole science behind this. It is not just a person's lack of smarts or the ability to find something to do around the house.
I got into the habit of jumping up and doing stuff while the commercials were on too. Then I started just muting the TV, and then I finally cured it all by unplugging the TV 15 months ago and I haven't plugged it in since. Can't say I miss it either. I do remember though, when I lived in the States, that the commercials were just incessant, much worse than in the UK, although I wouldn't know what it's like over there any more! Yuck, bloody TV ads!
ReplyDeleteTreaders,
DeleteSo, commercials worked for you and worked to help you break the habit? That's great. The commercials are incessant here!
Our local senior center loans out medical equipment. My sister-in-law fractured her pelvis recently and I was able to borrow a wheelchair ad a walker. No time limit on return because everything is donated. (I did have to sign a waiver that I wouldn't sue the town if my SIL somehow injured herself using them.)
ReplyDeleteMaybe call your local senior center? Put a question out on Facebook for your town to see if anyone has a chair to donate? Often people hold onto that kind of stuff even if they don't need it anymore because they don't know how to get rid of it.
I just googled "transport wheelchair" (you would need a lightweight one to be able to get it in and out of your car) and you can buy one on Amazon for $75.
Bobbie,
DeleteOur senior center does not.
We knew the answer, but Tommy called the senior center and asked. NO, they do not have wheelchairs to lend and have no idea where one is available. I called senior centers in two towns to quell the insistence that senior centers have wheelchairs to lend. No, No, NO.
Tommy cannot push a transport chair. He is going to ruin his hips or knees doing so.
i cannot use the cheaper transport chairs even if he could push it.
Couldn't you get it through their thick skulls that you need a wheelchair just to get to your medical appointments?
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteApparently not. I felt like crying. They told me to talk to my doctor. I am waiting on a call.
Is it possible for you to get some physical therapy, to improve your walking? Sitting all the time is bad for your overall health and well being. Sitting makes the muscles atrophy. In fact there is what is called "sitting disease"... Sitting for long periods of time causes energy levels to plummet as blood flow decreases. Blood sugar levels also increase (also called hyperglycemia) when inactive, which can cause chronic fatigue, especially in diabetics. IF it's available to you, get enrolled in physical therapy to improve your muscle tone and endurance. The worst thing you could do would be to start using a wheelchair.
ReplyDelete(I say this... as I've had osteoarthritis since a teenager, and every joint in my body screams -- every day, all day. I struggle to keep moving. But, use it or lose it has always been my motto.)
Swimming is excellent exercise... water aerobics are great. Certainly there are some good elder exercise programs in your area. And, I would -- without any delay -- seek out some TaiChi classes (even if online) which you can do sitting, at the outset. Just like there is chair yoga
Get moving! You'll feel a million times better (after you get over the first hurdles of building up some muscle endurance).
meetsy,
DeleteYes, I agree it is bad for me to sit so much.
I hate water aerobics, but I love tai chi, even sitting.
Moving hurts my back mostly. I need spinal surgery. And, thyroid surgery. But, first, I have to clear surgery with the cardiologist. I suppose the blockage is okay now, since he is giving me an appointment so far out.
I move as much as I can.
Feel better from the fever...that sounds very high, and you should go to the hospital, for one that high, at your age. Meanwhile, once better, get a physical therapist... ask your doc for one, tell him that you are in dire need of one, to help you move easier. And, then ask the PT to recommend a wheel chair for you, if you want one. However, I will warn you --- wheel chairs that are self propelled are murder on the arms and shoulders, and are strenuous exercise. And the battery ones are a pain... to keep charged and in good repair.
ReplyDeleteBut, physical therapists are going to be more likely to get you a chair, and there is CERTAINLY a medical supply store in your area that will rent you one (some states you need a prescription for one). It's a monthly rental -- and when you are better enough, you just have them pick it up. Look up Medical Equipment Rentals, or Medical Supplies in your area. They all have different deals and rates.
But, first get well, and get that fever down.... that's frightening. Go to the ER!!!