(Sorry, it is long now.)
It has been interesting watching your posts above about tumeric/black pepper as I also have been dealing with my share of osteoarthritis, which has shown significant progression from my second to last scans until the most recent ones (which arthritis progress through entire spine was caught by our GI, of all things, but I could have told anyone that I had it, but was far more concerned about my stomach at the time. This was when I couldn't eat and had lost a lot of weight a few months back.) Now that the ol' tummy has settled down a lot, the back is what I'm more concerned about and what bothers me more.
I also understand the putting off the surgery with all you have been through, Trysha. I have a similar situation, but for something more minor. (Large toe needs a total joint replacement of all things.) Putting mine off as long as I can stand it.
Mandy, "Hells bells", that is my Mom's choice of, and her strongest form of "cussing". Made me laugh. She is fine considering everything, most all of that ordeal was precautionary after purely musculoskeletal pain complaints (which turned out to be nothing). Frankly, I think she was just getting nervous about her move (don't blame her) and attention seeking (wish she would have handled it differently) but she got more attention than she was bargaining for. Her approach to it, was, well, interesting. She called and left messages several times before I even woke up (knowing mornings are difficult because of my narcolepsy), panicked sounding, insisting I come get her because of pain in her chest (right side, but still scary spot considering her age, etc), then several calls later after making appointments, etc. (and after I canceled my plans which is going to cause some trust issues with my handicapped friend I used to work with) she starts telling me how her pain really isn't "that bad." Her last call before we left was to tell me she was going to lunch with some friends but "should be back" by the time Doug and I were scheduled to be there. (Grrrrr. And she wasn't quite back.) In the mean time, Doug and I, both diabetics, skipped our lunch to get there. But she does have dementia (and always reminds me how she can't remember/do anything anymore.) She (legitimately) just doesn't remember that I have limited capabilities too ... hence her upcoming move to Indiana to be near more capable sister.
Update about the fire. The fire has burned about 1/2 of the island, but well on the way to containment right now. (Besides, it's an island, can't go anywhere.) My biggest concern (as well as the firefighters) was the Fielding Garr Ranch, the oldest anglo built building in Utah still standing on its own foundation. Tho part of a state park now (along with the rest of the island), it is still considered a "working ranch," but one that tourists can go see and get tours of. Doug's ancestor helped herd cattle out to this ranch in its beginnings. He also brought this same herd across the plains in the Mormon Migration. The flames came to within 1/2 mile of the ranch, but it is considered to be safe now. The island is also known to have one of the largest (and oldest) free range herds of bison in the US, but they, and natural wildlife, seem to be staying well out of harms way, thank goodness. Natural instincts at play.
Unfortunately there are many other fires in Utah right now, but that is another story.
Below is pic collage from almost exactly a year ago at Antelope Island, where we had a picnic at picnic tables with foster kiddo at the ranch. You can see bison and low lake levels from years of drought, (there is lake there but the angle makes it hard to see) and how dry the area naturally is.
