Photo below - I just love growing broccoli in self watering planters during the fall. No matter how large the plants get, the water reservoirs only have to be filled twice a week. This is a far cry from the demands during the hot months. No pests have shown up on them yet, and as long as the temps stay pretty cool at night, I don't figure they will show up at all.
Photo below - Jude is really enjoying the fall weather, and was caught dragging a big limb through the yard. Even though they are constantly thrown back into the woods, somehow they find their way back. Hehe...
In other news, I went to a rheumatologist in Huntsville yesterday, and the diagnosis was pretty bad....It seems that I have fibromyalgia. The last 3 weeks at work have been extremely stressful, and that's what triggers it. The good news is that it is the reason for my chronic sinusitis, restless legs syndrome, and also all of my headaches. So, treating the fibromyalgia will take care of the other problems at the same time. The bad news is that there is no cure, and i'll just have to take expensive meds to somehow manage it. It bums me out pretty bad, especially since doing anything pretty physical causes alot of pain. Over the last few years, i've wondered why working out in the yard always made certain parts of my body hurt...How am I supposed to build crazy things in the backyard if it only hurts me? I'll go as long as possible, but will need to just work at a slow pace, I guess..The list of projects will be completed this winter - regardless of the pain....
I've also been working on the control system for the greenhouse door opener, and have it almost finished. A themostat from a window air conditioner is still needed, and i'll have to look really hard for one over the next couple of weeks. This little project has been quite challenging, but thankfully it's almost ready for action. I'll post about the controls within the next week, and hope you like it!
Take care, and happy gardening!
EG
21 comments:
Got to love that Jude and her big sticks (limbs)! The young broccoli plants look healthy and beautiful.
Sorry to hear about the Fibro diagnosis but at least you have a line on what is the source problem for so many things and now have some tools to manage it all better. You may find that with treatment and care that you are able to do much more than you might have thought. Certainly more than if it had gone undiagnosed and untreated.
Sorry to hear that, EG. I know everyone has their own opinions, but I do know a couple of people that take some supplements that have really improved their quality of life dealing with fibromyalgia - I am a firm believer in combining the two approaches. Worth some research, anyways. Also I have heard that trying to schedule physical activities during your "good time of day" helps immensely, I'm sure that particular time will become evident to you as you get in tune with your body's rhythms. Plants look great -!
I am truly sorry to hear about the diagnosis. That is hard news to hear when the activity in your life is hendered by an illness. Now that I have found gardening I can't and try not to let anything keep me from doing it. I was diagnosed with Diabetes (2) about 5 years ago and it always kept me tired and not wanting to do anything (mainly the meds). I started walking and just being outside. I got the bright idea to start container gardening about a year and half ago and from there, my garden has expanded. I was getting sluggish again and found out I had a low iron count, I take meds for that and it kind of scared me becasue I did not want to go back to doing nothing. Things are better now and I love being out in my garden (except for the bugs). I think you have the gumption and even though you have pain, you will somehow work around it and find your groove, plus Jude won't let you. Quick question, my father in law found these in some sweet potatoes I just gave him from my harvest this month http://www.gardeners.com/Sweet-Potato-Weevil/5302,default,pg.html. Have you ever had these before? Did I do something wrong? Thanks for any information you could lend.
Ed -
Suggest you try a diet change (this advice coming from a PhD PE). Check into the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (it cuts out all the hard to diet food... it might help with the autoimmune issue). It helped me after I got smushed in a derailed Amtrak train as a passenger. See Amazon for Breaking The Viscous Cycle. The diet solved several of the issues you mentioned that I was experiencing. Also look into Jordan Ruben (http://www.jordanrubin.com/) - he has some personnel knowledge to share.
Drink lots of water, take a good multivitamin, and get plenty of rest (I know... you can't get comfortable).
I'm at Meadowood Ranch (http://statelywarrenmanor.blogspot.com/) in the evenings.
Fall is perfect to renew us in our gardening ambitions!
All the best managing your condition. I know a couple of women who have good results with regular exercise in a warm therapy pool. But, it seems each person finds their on means to handle it.
So sorry to hear of your fibromyalgia diagnosis! I was diagnosed about 15 years ago. Yes, it may slow you down, but with your spirit, I'm sure you'll manage very well. The key for me has been to take short breaks regularly while working in the garden. I'm sure Jude will be happy to help you with that. ;)
Be well, EG!
So sorry to read about your trip to the doctor. At least now you know what is causing the pain. Thankfully you have Jude, the garden and others to take your mind away from this.
Take care and I truly enjoy reading your posts!
I am sorry to hear you are in so much pain EG, that certainly does limit what you can accomplish in a day.
Oh that sucks that it is something you have to live with for the rest of your life. I hope the medications help though. It would be a really sad world with EG not building things.
EG.. sorry about the diagnosis. I know several people that have fibromyalgia and with the proper meds and life-style changes (learning to control stress, exercise, diet )they do fine. You are still relatively young and strong, so I am sure that you will work through this just like you work through promblems that arise at work and the "crazy things" you build in your back yard. You will be fine and will delight in your "Engineered Garden" for years to come. Spiderjohn
EG, so sorry to hear that you have Fibromyalgia. That's just yucky and I feel for you!!!
Fall broccoli! Yum!
EG, I'm so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. I know several people with that condition and it is something they'll struggle for throughout their lives, but the one thing they're glad for is that they've got a general diagnosis which settles their mind and there is treatment out there for it instead of just wandering through the darkness with no direction for treatment without a diagnosis. Hang in there.
Gosh, I really appreciate everyone's concern. :-) I started taking lyrica and mobic this morning, and should feel better in a couple of weeks. The pain in my shoulder is still bad, and even takes my breath away at times. I'll make it, though...Again - I really appreciate your thoughts....
Cynthia - I haven't seen that bug in my garden before - just click beetles
EG, I feel your pain... literally. I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 1990. They know so much more now about Fibro than they did then. My advice is to allow short breaks when needed. The harder I try to push through the pain the more time it takes to recover. One of the best things that helped me was to get in a hot tub first thing in the morning and then again before bed time. I have a jacuzzi tub now but the hot tub is better.
EG, I just saw debiclegg's comment and I think that is a great idea! AND, I saw an article in Mother Earth News about a year ago about how to build your own hot tub, and it was really nice looking - this project sounds right up your alley! Do an internet search for the article maybe it will give you some more inspiration, not that you need it LOL!
EG, I didn't read back to see your other remarks about shoulder pain, but you may want to do a simple little experiment: (gently) touch the back of your elbow, where the "funnybone" is. It might be very tender, and it could cause a tingling, numbing feeling down to your little finger. If it is tender, try holding a wad of crushed ice in a dishcloth there to "numb" it for about 2-5 minutes, then try moving your arm around. If that helps, look up "Cubital Tunnel Syndrome" on something like WebMD.
Fibromyalgia can be managed, so keep a positive view going!
debbie - ok, i'll have to try that. I have a roman tub in one of the bathrooms.
Pomaika 'i - ok, i'll try that. Thanks for the information, and for leaving me a comment....
Man that's bad news, sorry to hear that! Good thing you are active in looking after yourself. If you catch it early it should be easier to treat.
EG, I am so sorry about the Fibromyalgia, but glad that you have a diagnosis and there are ways to manage it. I know it will be difficult for you, but there will be days that you are just going to have to take it easy when symptoms are bad, but there will also be days when you will feel pretty good.
Wow, I wanted to comment on the great idea of using your miniSWCs for broccoli. Then I saw your diagnosis. I have no words of wisdom, just deep concern for a friend. Do your best to minimize the pain rather than work through it. And do what the docs tell you. Take care man. And I'm jealous of your broccoli.
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