2024 Life Logs, Day 130: Clean Bill of Health after Back Surgery
Date: Thursday, May 9, 2024
Weather: Partly Sunny; High Temp 62, Low 45 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth, MA
Shadow and I took our morning walk and not long after that the lawn care team arrived. Today was spring clean-up for the yard. All of those leaves still lingering from the fall were taken away, new soil was put down in bare areas, and grass seed was planted. While that was happening outside, I took everything off my bed, sheets, comforter, bed spread, and started the washing process. The drying part of that is still going on, but it should be done by bedtime.
Before noon, I took off for Hyannis. I had a follow-up appointment with my neurosurgeon’s assistant. After asking many questions, I was released with a clean bill of health from my back surgery. I was cautioned to continue to do things in a way that is easiest on my back, but I was told that I can resume all normal activities … with a few reminders. Never bend from the waist while standing. Squat, and then bend. Go slow with the gardening. Limit twisting from side to side. I still have the same 77-year-old back with arthritis. A problem was fixed, but that does not mean that other problems will never arise. I just have to use common sense and not push it too hard.
While in Hyannis, I went to Lens Crafters to have my new glasses adjusted as they keep slipping down my nose. I made the requisite stop at Whole Foods and then drove home. I arrived just as the lawn care team was leaving. Lynda, my friend and landlord was still in the yard and she had news for me that she knew I was not going to like. She was right. A chemical fertilizer and herbicide had been applied to the entire yard and she was told that Shadow should not be allowed to be on the grass for at least three days. If he should decide to eat the grass, which he often does, it can cause gastrointestinal issues and worse (cardiovascular and neurologic issues) if exposed over long periods of time. He is already a dog with gastrointestinal issues. I surely don’t need him to have more issues. So, I took him with me this evening when I drove Ollie to soccer practice. While Ollie was at practice, Shadow and I went to one of the huge parking areas at the nearby fairgrounds to play ball instead of doing that at home in the yard. The bummer is that since I am having knee surgery on Monday, I will not be able to drive or walk for a few days. I was planning to use the training collar and let Shadow go outside on his own with me watching from the deck. But now I am not sure I want him, or me, walking on the lawn for a couple of weeks. Why do people continue to apply chemicals to their yards that make people and animals sick? According to PetMD, exposure to herbicides in “larger quantities or small amounts over a longer period (chronic exposure) can lead to severe neurologic and cardiovascular impairment.” Their recommendation is to stay off the grass for 72 hours, but then that depends on which kind of herbicide. Yuck!
