Might have mentioned that I had Spinal fusion surgery back at the end of July followed by a second procedure when recovery did not go well. Last few months have been a blur of constant pain & discomfort, leaving me without being able to do much of anything. Have finally hooked up with a pain management Doc who gave me an epidural that provided some relief and who I will continue to be treated by + I finally found a pain clinic that is willing to help me wean off the opiod (Oxycodone) and then hopefully the other pain meds.
This past Saturday, I went out in the studio and decided to try and paint one of the decoys that's been sitting for months - a ringbill hen. One of a trio of ringnecks (two drakes and a hen) that I started on well before my surgery. Tried to take it easy and just do as much as sitting fairly comfortably would allow each day. Wasn't always comfortable and my hip & leg let me know when I was pushing the limit. A week later this is the result:
Looks like this will be the first duck & goose season I'll miss in 50 years. However that gives me another goal = to be back at it next season.
Physical therapy starts this week, and I have been walking 15 minutes 3x daily + using the hot water therapy tub and walking in the lap pool at the community center. Progress feels incremental most days, but I am determined to get back to all the things I enjoy!!
Going to drag out a bunch of ringneck decoys I've done in the past few years and take a group picture....just for something to do to take my mind off mending. Will post them up later.
Hope everyone - especially the old coots - is having a good year so far. Appreciate every opportunity you get to be out in the marsh and on the water. Shoot 'em in the lips!
