What do you give a guy for his birthday when he's got everything he needs? That was the same question I would ask my Dad when he was alive. As we get up there in years, needs have hopefully been met and wants come into play.
For the past several years when my kids ask, "Dad, what do you want for your birthday," my reply has been a new tractor. That answer is always greeted with a smile and my next request is, some new socks would be great or a good pair of slippers also works.
Who doesn't like sliding on a new pair of comfy slippers?
This year's birthday gifts were a little different than usual. Being that I was going in for total hip replacement surgery on the 16th of November,10 days after my birthday, the gifts I received centered around my comfort and giving me something to do during recovery.
This simple present made me laugh and it also made me realize just how much I'm loved.
Knowing that so many people cared for me so deeply, was the best gift of all!
November is a big month for birthdays in the Jurg household. Not only would we be celebrating my birthday, but four other family members would also be celebrating their birthdays along with me, making this day extra special.
Can you tell who they were? Yup the ones with the birthday hats on.
Our daughter-in-law and our grandson would also be blowing out candles.
Our daughter Erica and her husband Mike were both born on the same day, November 7th, a day after my birthday.
Go figure, the newlyweds share the same birthday.
It is in giving that we receive, and receiving so much love on this day had me covering up my face
as I tried to hide my tears.
12 years ago I had my first hip replaced and the entire process was a breeze.
I fully expected this go-around to be the same, boy was I wrong.
This time, I spent an extra day in the hospital before being released. Some extra gadgets were purchased to make life a little easier during recovery.
At the time I felt that much of what you see here was a waste of $$$$, but as is usually the case, 
While in the hospital, I followed the doctor's orders to a tee and swallowed every pill that was ordered.
Along with these prescribed medications comes a laundry list of side effects.
The four hours spent in the car while making our way back to the farm was no picnic and knowing this was going to be the case, I swallowed another round of the meds that were offered, before being released from the hospital.
The first day home I continued to follow the doctor's orders until the side effects of taking
these pills started to rear their ugly head.
As we all know, constipation is no fun and that was a result of taking the OxyCODONE. This stuff is no joke and the list of warnings when taking this very addictive medication is longer than my arm. This medication was causing more discomfort than it was alleviating and the entire 30 pills remain untouched. I could deal with the pain, but not being able to go to the bathroom was unbearable.
The pregabalin 50 mg was the next to go. Developing a rash from this med was the first side effect listed on the pages of literature that accompanied this drug. I had broken out with a rash all over my back that made me feel like I was laying on a bed of nails. As of this moment, the rash remains, but every day it gets a little better. I have not taken any of this med for the past 10 days, I guess it takes a while to purge the body of this poison.
In the past, I have replaced other medications that were ordered by my doctors, for both high blood pressure and high cholesterol, with #Narural #Medicines, both of which have given me better results than any pharmaceutical fix.
Getting back to natural remedies for alleviating pain, reducing swelling, and rebuilding bone and muscle mass has been my approach to getting back on my feet while avoiding the side effects from the money-making drugs that big pharmaceutical companies have their doctors dealers pushing.
My approach must be working because I have been able to sit in a chair for an hour or so while putting this post together over the past few days! 😁
Compassion, empathy, perseverance, coupled with the love from this wonderful lady has been unwavering! I can always count on her being in my corner when the going gets rough, and for this, I will always be grateful!
