Repairs seem to be the theme this week!
Yesterday, 0n the advice of the CAA fellow, I gave the local automotive shop a call in the morning. The price was high, I thought, but I wanted the work done, and I wanted to explore for a reliable garage in the area. Doing business with the local automotive shop would give me an opportunity to do both.
Tank started without issue, so I took myself off to the grocery store to pick up milk. While parked at the grocery store, I walked across a two parking lots to reach the Canadian Tire store. I inquired about a battery for Tank. They didn’t have one. Their initial price was very inexpensive, $60 less than the auto shop. But here is the thing, they added a core charge of $20, and an installation charge of $24.99, and would probably insist on a test charge as well, probably for under $20.00. So although the price seemed less expensive at first glance, once the extras were factored in, the price was basically the same as the auto shop. Tank went to the local auto shop for its new battery.
I was immediately pleased with the auto shop. He said he would install the battery in the afternoon, they were too busy in the morning, so I drove over just after lunch time, parked in the lot, and headed into the shop. No expensive decor, bells, whistles, or other things I don’t want to pay for. Happy employees, obviously enjoying their day… that is crucial in my opinion, and something I don’t mind paying for. The owner greeted me pleasantly, chatted with another customer, took my keys, brought Tank into the garage bay, and ten minutes later the job was done. There is a great six year warranty on the battery. This is “our garage” now, I wouldn’t take my vehicles anywhere else!
Then Tank and I tooted around town for a little while, before heading home.
Tank is not the only thing around here that is aging and needs repairs.
My knee has been getting progressively worse. Last night I hardly slept, I was in so much pain. Enough is enough! I hate taking medication, particularly when I don’t know what the problem is. After my morning coffee, breakfast, and chat with Attila, I put on my parka and boots, locked the door behind me, and started up Tank. Tank roared into action at the first turn of the key! Off we went to the nearby hospital emergency.
It wasn’t very busy in the emergency department, thank goodness, I was back home in just under an hour. The upshot is that my meniscus is torn. I have been referred to an Orthopaedic Clinic, and physiotherapy. No more walks for now! Although disappointed about not being able to go for walks, I am relieved to know what the problem is. The emergency Doctor felt I would need minor surgery to repair the damage, but I guess I will know more once I go into the Orthopaedic Clinic. The Doctor also recommended wearing the knee brace when I needed to be active, and to keep walking around the house if I could manage it, which I am hoping I can. He also told me to take painkillers, and this I will do at night so that I can sleep.
I think I will still be able to shovel snow though, not much walking involved there! We shall see what they advise at the clinic, I will be listening to them closely.
So here is me today, taking it easy, and doing paperwork as I sit at the kitchen table. Not so bad, but I’d rather be out in that sunshine going for a walk!
P.S. My YakTrax arrived yesterday, just in time to not be able to use them! Funny old world. They will keep until I can use them.
Worldly Distractions
Weather
-4°C
Date: 6:00 PM EST Thursday 15 January 2015
Condition: Partly Cloudy
Pressure: 101.2 kPa
Tendency: falling
Visibility: 24 km
Temperature: -4.1°C
Dewpoint: -9.0°C
Humidity: 69%
Wind: SW 27 gust 41 km/h
Wind Chill: -11
-8°C
Date: 9:00 AM EST Friday 16 January 2015
Condition: Light Snowshower
Pressure: 101.2 kPa
Tendency: rising
Visibility: 24 km
Temperature: -7.8°C
Dewpoint: -12.4°C
Humidity: 70%
Wind: NW 28 gust 46 km/h
Wind Chill: -16
Quote
“You must have a room, or a certain hour or so a day, where you don’t know what was in the newspapers that morning… a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be.”
Joseph Campbell
1904 – 1987
What the heck is a YakTrax? I must’ve missed it somewhere. Sorry about the torn meniscus… how did you do that? Did you have a fall or something? Ouch.
There are not many areas of my body that DO still work so I sympathize with you. If it were just one spot that hurt a lot, I might consider seeing someone, but not when it’s the whole shebang… that would be way too much time spent in medical facilities which I am not willing to do.
I love your quote today, it made me think of my “new” Reading Room where I can go and just “bring forth what I am and what I might be…” xoxox
Bex, YakTrax are things you put over your boots to prevent slipping on icy surfaces… http://www.yaktrax.ca. They work!
I injured my knee last July, just walking across the road it gave way, while we were at the camp. I had just finished clearing brush around the driveway at my Granny and Grandpa’s house and was heading back to the camp. It was sore but I could still walk, and then by the next day it got a lot worse, then after many weeks it finally improved, and months later I could walk without limping. Then I started walking regularly here at the little house, and I guess that was the final straw! Three weeks ago it was a little sore, and now it is really painful.
I remember when you were designing that reading room, it is so cozy and friendly! Enjoy!
Sorry to hear about your torn meniscus, Maggie. That’s also apparently what I have, though I haven’t had it confirmed yet. But the symptoms are there, things like not being able to straighten my knee, and pain with sideways movement. But, for now, my knee is doing ‘okay’, so I won’t be taking it to the doctor yet.
I have an internet friend who has gone through surgery for a torn meniscus on one knee and did well with it. She’s being given shots right now, in the knee, for second torn meniscus there.
Sending you hugs. I know how painful and debilitating this can be. Glad you at least have a renewed Tank at your disposal so you can get around.
Thanks Teri, I am a lucky woman having a vehicle to use for transportation. It would be a very grim situation being here on my own, with the knee injury, and needing to walk places to get things like groceries. I am counting my lucky stars.
Sorry, meant to say my friend is being given shots in her *other* knee for a second torn meniscus.
Sorry about the knee – just to read about it sounds painful. 🙁
My quiet space is mostly my office, but my entire home is actually a sanctuary of my choosing. I live an extraordinarily quiet life and am so grateful for that.
Reenie, knowing what it is will help me manage the problem, already I am able to reduce the pain! The physiotherapist will be able to give me further tips on not doing any further damage, and ways to manage the pain and promote healing.
Your home is fantastic Reenie, it has a character all its own and must keep you very good company!
Finding an auto repair shop that you trust is huge! We have a guy in our town, too, who takes really good care of us, and knowing that he does is worth every penny, let me tell you.
Now you just need to feel the same way about whoever helps you with that knee … good luck with it! It must be tough to be unable to get out and around easily under your own steam. I’m glad there is a solution.
Thanks Kate! You are right, a good auto repair shop is gold!
I have an appointment made with a physiotherapist close by. I wasn’t completely happy with the telephone conversation, as I think they cater to people who are eligible for government coverage, and I am not. They insist on pay as you go. They might be the only option within easy driving distance, the cost of transportation is a big consideration. However, if I don’t like them, I will drive whatever distance it takes to find someone I do like.
The exchange reminded me of a time when I took Terra in to the dentist when she was around 12 years old. The dentist would not treat her, volubly told us in front of everyone that we were too much of a risk for payment, turned her away after we had waited in the waiting room for over an hour for our appointment. They explained, again in front of everyone there, that because we weren’t on social assistance, and he didn’t trust the ex’s plan to pay him, we would have to leave. Poor child, what an embarrassing time we both had. Based on my life’s experience, I find most dentists to be crap people. Anyway, I hope this physio clinic will turn out OK. If it doesn’t I will not go back there, and I will get a recommendation from the orthopaedic clinic, which may be some time into the future.
It will all work out eventually. 🙂
Hopefully, you won’t need the physiotherapist for very much and can do most of this on your own. Since it was so hard to get around when I did the most damage to my knee, I just stayed home and babied it long term, didn’t see anyone. Honestly, it took a loooong time for it to come back – almost a year to get back to near normal – and I still have problems sometimes, but it did come back for the most part and I can do walks with DH, now. I just have to be very careful not to go out in weather where my foot can slip sideways. That’s what would exacerbate the damage, in my experience.
A year of inactivity, sounds challenging!
I think I inherited my Grandfather’s knees. He had both replaced in his late eighties, he lived to be 90 years old. If surgery is recommended, I will have it done. My Grandfather got around a lot better after his surgeries, and he recovered quickly. Gosh, I hope I got more than his knees, living to the ripe old age of 90 could be great, if I maintain my health as well as he managed to do.
I always think the same about my family’s longevity. Though my mother died at an early age from leukemia (the family believes she was exposed to radiation in Utah, working down there) the rest of my maternal line has survived into their late 80s and even late 90s. The male sides, not quite as good, with their living only until their late 70s.
That is sad Teri, losing your Mom at an early age, how hard that must have been on all of you, including your Grandmother who lost a daughter.
The longevity in my ancestry is on the male side of the equation, the women don’t fare as well, except my Mom, and she takes after her Dad, from whom I inherited my knees. So I have my fingers crossed.