Day Ten

Wow!  Into double digits now.  Today's been a little better.  Woke up on time and didn't have to rush to Stretchercise.  Do you love that word?  Today was our hike and picnic.  We were bused to a ranch near Auburn where there are several trails, and an area where a fairly large number of people could be fed.  We were divided into groups according to our various capabilities, and directed to walks of one-half, two and 1/2, and three and 1/2 miles.  I was with the pastor and the lady with the walker.  We were assigned the half mile trail.  We climbed a fairly steep little hill, and crossed over a ridge to see a pretty little pond with a walking trail all around.  We walked and rested, walked and rested, etc., until we finally made it around and back to where we'd left the bus.  We waited there for the trekkers and lunch.  Haystacks again, and cookies!  Well, one cookie.  When we got back to the lodge, I was ready for a nap!  More sessions in the afternoon, and one more in a few minutes, then early to bed.  I slept better last night, and hope to repeat the experience.

Lectures this afternoon are on arthritis and rest, two of my favorite subjects.  The doctor explained how joints work:  the cartilage doesn't actually receive nutrients from blood directly.  There's a fluid sac around the joint, and as the joint is flexed, nutrients from the arterial blood stream are released into the fluid.  When the joint is relaxed, waste products move from the cartilage to the fluid and are expelled into the venous blood stream.  In order to keep joints healthy, they must must work.  Now after all that work, I'm anxious to hear about rest, because I like that one really well.

I'm so ready to feel like something's happening, but I think I'm looking too far ahead.  I've lost a couple of pounds, I am walking more than I have in years, but I still hurt a lot when I'm walking, and after I've been walking.  It's going to take a lot of discipline to continue after I leave here. It not only isn't fun, it's almost like torture.

Again, many thanks to all my supporters.  You all are the best.  Love you all.