Hearing Aids for Me

 Sheri has been bugging me for some time about getting hearing aids.  I finally  visited the audiologist in Kingman and was referred for hearing aids for both ears to help with hearing higher tones.  Higher tones help distinguish some consonants, especially s's.  

Whether this lack of hearing is due to loud noises, such as at Del Monte, or listening to kids' garage bands or is genetic I could not say.  Suffice it to say others in the family have also had hearing loss, siblings and kids, which may mean it is more genetic.  

I have had tinnitus for over twelve years.  There was the hope that adding hearing aids may effect this for the better.  However after three weeks I have not noticed any difference.

When I have the hearing aids in sometimes they tickle the insides of my ears which canbe frustrating.  I have always had dry flakey inner ear and the hearing aids do not help.

Kingman/Bullhead Blood Drive 3/10/2023

 Blood drives this Friday conjointly in Kingman and Bullhead sponsored by Vitalant

Linea de suicidio y crisis; 988

 

New Suicide and Crisis Line, National Number 988

 

If you are feeling suicidal please reach out.  If you are in crisis please reach out.  Stickers from SAMHSA.

Day of the Dead Ofrenda As a Way to Help with Grieving

 I visited the Day of the Dead Celebration at my son's high school.  Earlier this year one of the students passed away in a tragic accident.  The students had placed an ofrenda for him.  I was amazed how many of the students were using the ofrenda to remember their friend, and to grieve, including my son.  His name is Luis.

Luis:

Was a loved student of the Lee Williams High School Community.  

He liked riding bikes, hanging out with friends and family and liked hanging out watching movies with his older brother.

His favorite food was pasta, rice and beans.  

He especially loved his dog.

Luis liked to swim and in his free time he liked to go shooting.  And his favorite movies were the Michael Myers Halloween movies and favorite characters were the ninja turtles.  

You'll be missed.

Found this article on dealing with grief: 

...Grieving individuals may find it helpful to use some of the following strategies to help them process and come to terms with loss:

• Talk about the death of your loved one with friends or colleagues in order to help you understand what happened and remember your friend or family member. Avoidance can lead to isolation and will disrupt the healing process with your support systems.
• Accept your feelings. You may experience a wide range of emotions from sadness, anger or even exhaustion. All of these feelings are normal and it’s important to recognize when you are feeling this way. If you feel stuck or overwhelmed by these emotions, it may be helpful to talk with a licensed psychologist or other mental health professional who can help you cope with your feelings and find ways to get back on track.
• Take care of yourself and your family. Eating healthy foods, exercising and getting plenty of sleep can help your physical and emotional health. The grieving process can take a toll on one’s body.  Make sure you check in with your loved ones and that they are taking the necessary healthy steps to maintain their health.
• Reach out and help others dealing with the loss. Spending time with loved ones of the deceased can help everyone cope. Whether it’s sharing stories or listening to your loved one’s favorite music, these small efforts can make a big difference to some. Helping others has the added benefit of making you feel better as well.
• Remember and celebrate the lives of your loved ones. Anniversaries of a lost loved one can be a difficult time for friends and family, but it can also be a time for remembrance and honoring them. It may be that you decide to collect donations to a favorite charity of the deceased, passing on a family name to a baby or planting a garden in memory. What you choose is up to you, as long as it allows you to honor that unique relationship in a way that feels right to you.

The ofrenda especially covers the last aspect; remembering and celebrating the lives of your loved ones.  I think the students have found a way to support each other, and remember their friend.  

Blood Donation Drive in Kingman Monday 11/7/2022

 

Is Sciatica the Curse of Getting Older?

 I don't know if it is a curse, but it is no fun.  My sciatica flared up in about October of last year.  It really had me tied down and is a big pain in the butt literally.  It is a pain starting in the butt area and then going down the back of the leg.  It was mostly in my right side but now effects both sides.  It was so bad I just wanted to lie around all day.  Even sitting made it hurt.  I had difficulty with small tasks like loading or unloading the dish washer.

Urgent care took x-rays and diagnosed the problem.  Initially I took some pills for pain--some for the day and some at night, but the majority of the treatment was physical therapy.  The doctor suggested no longer have my wallet in my back pocket, so I don't.  It is always in front now.  I guess sitting on a wallet can flare things up.  

Physical therapy focused on stretches, and strengthening the core.  I am very good at using the stretches for any little tightness, or sometimes just to prevent the tightness.  Squats are the most important core strengthening exercise.  i could do better with this.  I have changed from bending to do the dish washer to using squats.  It helps.  Also for the core is the gorilla walk, and what I call they round dance.  This is a side to side step, while gorilla walk is a frontward step while squatting a bit.  Both steps can be done with bands.  

Just tightening or engaging the core is helpful.  The stretches I do I stand against something firm, and then lean back.  This really helps.  Also while sitting or lying down, putting the foot on the knee, and then pulling the knee towards the other side for about 20 seconds, and then pushing it down for ten seconds.  This also really helps.  I also like to walk and this helps, but I must be careful not to overdo.