Not too long ago, I reported exclusively in this blog that I was suffering from back pain - almost certainly caused by over-enthusiasm when starting the business of lifting old decking boards in our back garden (American: yard).
I listened to the warning my body was screaming at me and ceased the work immediately. Gradually, the pain drifted away as I rested and took care of myself - including gentle back exercises and short country walks. Yesterday, I felt healed enough to get back to the decking project. I lifted a further ten boards and a dozen today - mostly using a crow bar, a big slice of ingenuity and a pair of work gloves. I did not overdo the muscle power I needed to apply.
In total, thirty two boards have been removed. They had been down for twenty years. As half expected, all is not well with the structural undercarriage. Though some of the joists and noggins are in good shape six or seven of them may as well be totally replaced. One or two of these pieces of wood look as if they have just been lifted from the bottom of the ocean - from the wreckage of The Spanish Armada.
Figuring out how to make the renovated structure solid and level without all the desirable tools will prove a challenge to a bookish man like me but to tell you the truth, I have always gained satisfaction from completing practical tasks like this one. I know it needs to be done and that I will get there in the end. Good dry days would help and of course I will be looking after my back.
Moving to a very different, unconnected subject... Our lovely daughter Frances is seven months pregnant and already fit to burst. It is of course a joyous time but something has cropped up that makes me feel a degree of anxiety.
Her platelet count has plunged very low. Nearly all pregnant women experience a reduced platelet count but Frances's reduction is severe. The count plunged very low when Phoebe was about to be born but this count is already so low that Frances is being called into hospital tomorrow. There may need to be some sort of intervention. If you didn't know, a healthy platelet count is vital for blood clotting.
Normally, a mother's platelet count will zoom back up soon after a birth but there can be complications if the count is really low at the time of the birth. The good thing is that both the maternity hospital and the haematology department at the main hospital know about her issue and will be there to support her. I have read quite a bit about the condition and possible interventions - courtesy of our good friend Dr Google.
Frances herself seems quite relaxed about the matter so I guess that I am doing her fretting for her - silly old fool that I am.
There isn't a rush to complete the decking. You have the rest of your life to do that.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't believe your daughter is not concerned about her platelet count. Sometimes we don't want to cause worry to parents,. although that has really worked this time.
Indeed - it has really worked!
DeletePregnancy is no easy job. there are many risks as you know. there is much more that can be done with pre natal care. All the best to your family.
ReplyDeleteThank heavens it is 2023 and not 1923. Back then they probably knew very little about platelets in pregnancy.
DeleteThat is worrisome. My nephew had/has ITP which is a platelet issue and he had to have infusions of IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin therapy) until finally they had to resort to removing his spleen. I hope that this resolves easily!
ReplyDeleteLast time it was quickly resolved through the birth of Phoebe but this time the count is much lower. This morning the 50+ consultant said she had only seen one similar low count in her entire career.
DeleteI was initially concerned it was your structural undercarriage that was in need of work. Glad it was just the deck.
ReplyDeleteFrances is in good hands but you are not a silly old fool - you are her Dad and if you weren't worried then you would be worse than a silly old fool.
Then I would be a heartless silly old fool.
DeleteI've missed a few of your posts but I'm up to speed now.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt you will finish the decking, one way or another. Hopefully the weatther will be kind and let you get on with it.
I hope the medicos can get Frances' platelets back to a better level and bub can stay put for a few more weeks.
We don't want "bub" to be born yet - another month at least but sometimes a baby is induced when the platelet count gets really low.
DeleteI have constant back pain (Sciatica) which I think was caused by lifting huge stones when I was working briefly as a stone mason/sculptor. I have now begun to walk with an embarrassing 'stoop' which cannot be rectified.
ReplyDeleteI do hope Frances will be OK, I'm sure they will keep a very close eye on her.
Sorry to hear about your troublesome back but that could make a blogpost! You might as well get something out of it.
DeleteIt is understandable that you worry about Frances' health, but as you say, she seems to be in expert hands at the hospital, and I am very optimistic that all will go well with the birth of Phoebe's sibling.
ReplyDeleteWell done on the anti back pain regime! You will figure this decking thing out, no doubt.
This morning the consultant at the hospital has told Frances that during her career she has only come across one similarly low count amongst pregnant women. This worries me even more.
Deletemy disabled other half has to have the same platelet infusions that they give pregnant women he quite likes sitting around getting cups of tea and biscuits
ReplyDeleteMaybe that's what Frances will have to have. I like that idea better than the thought of steroids.
DeleteIt seems that Frances will be in good hands so just relax, YP. Oh no, sorry, get on with that decking.
ReplyDeleteI am not Lord Peregrine you know! You can't order me about too!
DeleteYou are bound to be worried and I am sure I would be too if it were my daughter, but it sounds like the hospital are keeping a close eye on her and will keep her safe. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteI drove her to the hospital this morning. Strangely, she seems in excellent health and quite unconcerned - unless she is just putting on a brave face.
DeleteYou are not a silly old fool, they will forever remain our children and we will forever worry about them. I hope all goes well, exciting times a new baby.
ReplyDeleteI won't be settled until her baby arrives and all is well.
DeleteFor a moment I thought that you were talking about yourself re the " structural undercarriage" !!
ReplyDeleteI am not a wooden man Frances.
DeleteI've never had a daughter to fret over. Sounds quite a normal thing to do though.
ReplyDeleteI have never fretted over her as much as I am doing right now.
DeleteNo you are not a silly old fool, we worry about our children and their health for good reasons. I am sure there is good medical intervention out there for Frances. Also sometimes it is wiser to get an experienced person to do builder jobs around the house.
ReplyDeleteAn "experienced person" might charge you the earth and still not do it right Thelma.
DeleteFrances is in good hands. Hospitals are excellent, too.
ReplyDeleteCrow bar still! Like I said, get an impact screwdriver. And screw tappers. You'll feel the real business when you use them.
The screw heads are rusted and the screws themselves are corroded in the wood. I think it had to be a crowbar Tasker.
DeleteFrances' condition must be very worrying for you all, but it sounds as though she is in good hands.
ReplyDeleteIt will be nice to see a photograph of the finished deck after all your hard work. Not so good if you have to post a photo of you from your hospital bed!
The picture of the finished deck may be available in 2025.
DeleteI am not a praying person but I will send up several wishes that Frances and the baby will bith be okay. Is she anaemic at all? Is there an Rh problem? Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting. One good source is kiwi fruit, I don't know if you get them there or what you might call them. But please take all advice from the doctors not from me.
ReplyDeleteBe careful with the replacing of the rotten Spanish Armada woods.
The right foodstuffs can certainly boost platelet counts but in Frances's situation that would not be the case as her count has plunged so very low. And we do have kiwi fruit in British supermarkets though I never once saw them when I was a child.
DeleteI'm sure Frances and her new baby will both be fine. They're in good hands and have lots of family support. And in another two months or so, you'll have THREE grandchildren! How cool is that? :)
ReplyDeleteIt's very cool but it will be even cooler when the two unborns are born and both mothers are okay.
DeleteGoing out on the limb, I'm assuming the American version of noggins are headers? I'll keep your daughter and arriving grandchild in my thoughts and prayers today.
ReplyDeleteAnd I will pray for your noggins as I don't know what headers are.
DeleteWe just had our back deck replaced and the "undercarriage" was in very good shape, as were the railings, so we only needed replace the decking itself. And we hired someone for that. I know my meager limitations.
ReplyDeleteI wish that my job was as simple as that Bob.
DeleteFix the kid, then the deck. Hoping both turn out splendidly.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your kind wishes Mr Penguin.
DeleteWell yes, you are right- a woman's blood volume doubles when she is pregnant and that can cause a low platelet count but this is obviously not the same situation. They will take good care of her, I am sure but I am also sure that you are indeed worrying about her a great deal.
ReplyDeleteToday's hospital visit was quite reassuring. The count has risen and Frances will be checked again next week. She may not be able to have an epidural or a C-section because of the issue.
DeleteAs long as the docs are keeping a close eye on Frances, there's minimal cause for worry, I suspect -- but of course I also understand why you'd feel that way!
ReplyDeleteA hundred years ago they wouldn't have known very much about platelets during pregnancy. I am sure that many women bled to death.
DeleteOne thing I learned when I was in the hospital, Neil, is - stop Googling! All of the nurses and doctors kept telling me that because it only makes us worry more.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear that Frances' count is already improving and hope things stay steady now for the last months. Good luck with the deck and don't hurt yourself!
Thank you Auntie Ellen! I think that googling health matters is infinitely better than wallowing in pure ignorance.
DeleteNever ever dr Google …ever
ReplyDeleteSee my answer to Ellen's comment John.
DeleteWhat does Mrs. Pudding with her nursing background have to say about this? It sounds like the doctors are more than ready to deal with whatever might come of it all. I'm a pray-er, so I'll say some for Frances and the baby.
ReplyDeleteShirley was a nurse for 42 years and a very good one too. She has a natural sense of when to be calm and when to worry and she has instinctively found this matter troubling. We will be happy but relieved too when Frances's second child arrives.
Delete