June is busting out all over!

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Dear readers,

Today has been a bitter-sweet one. Got up this am and had a swollen ankle!  Gout!  It is not full-blown but hurts all the same.  I took my meds and iced it down, but I also had commitments to play games today.  Also today was Bible Study night.

I hobbled on down to meet two friends to play Mah Jongg.  We each one won one game…that looks weird, doesn’t it?  Then I went to lunch and met Frank; we had a nice dinner and then left to play our weekly game of Pinochle with a couple we know.

The girls won a game and the guys won the other two.  Maybe next week we will win two…or maybe three.

I took another hour to restudy Matthew 17 and 18 before heading off to supper.  After supper is Bible Study.  I have 12 or 13 women who come when they can.  They are a joy to me and a blessing.  They love my lessons and have a hunger for the word of God.

We learned two new items tonight.

1.  Jesus had a “rehearsal” of the transfiguration when he ascended into Heaven…didn’t know this…some bibles call it a vision…but it seemed like the real thing.

2.  Jesus didn’t feel like he, the Son of God, had to pay taxes on the Temple…because the tax collectors never taxed their sons…why should he have to pay as the Son of God?  Then he decided not to cause a problem and had his disciple catch a fish and retrieve a coin for the taxes out of the fish’s mouth.

The Bible is an awesome read.  I’ve been teaching it for 30 years now…it is always a wonder and I always learn something new!

Need to close for now….that was another day’s journey in the life of a retired 71 year old…Hope you enjoyed it.

Blessings!

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Gout? Are you serious?

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Gout has attacked once again!  I was in so much pain that I had to get to the doctor’s.  The nurse here had a wheel chair, so she rolled me to the car so I could drive myself there.  At the same time, Frank had an appointment with his doctor.  Today was a bummer!

Did your Dad or grandfather have gout?  Then you may be in for a treat.  My father had gout and I think I inherited the tendencies to have flare ups.  They are horrific!  I have been in excruciating pain for three days! First, the pain was in my heel and I found it difficult to walk; then the swelling began around the ankle.  That is when the real pain set in.  It feels like a freight train ran over my foot and ankle.  I have had three breaks in one ankle at one time and it felt nothing as horrible as this!  

When I made it to the doctor’s, I was given a blood test and a pain shot.  Dr. says it is just arthritis or gouty arthritis…or a bad gout flare up….so I now have pills for a week and aleve twice a day for pain.  The worst part of it all is the inability to stand or walk.  It is really depressing not to be able to get around.

The flare up could have been caused by a small cup of black bean soup.  Beans have purine which builds up in blood and can cause gout.  The only other thing it could have been is a bag of peanuts.  Both may have started this!  Beware!  A lot of good, healthy foods can cause gout!  Asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, beans, peas, red meats, shell fish, oily fish (the good stuff)…etc.   Back on the diet.  Can’t take the pain!  My poor father was always in pain with gout.  I remember that he grunted when he walked and now I know why.  I’ll be back when I’m better and tell you more of the glamorous, gay life of those over seventy!  Ha!

God Bless