Tuesday February 11, 2025
– Gibbous Moon Phase – trust, analyze, prepare, digest, alchemy
– Retrogrades in 2024 –
- Mars – December 6 – February 23
– Moon in LEO –
– Best Days (from the Farmer’s Almanac) February 11th – Cut Firewood, Dig Holes, Get Married, Host a Party, Kill Plant Pests, Mow to Increase Growth, Paint, Travel for Pleasure
– Planting Calendar (from the Farmer’s Almanac) – February 10th – 14th – Clear ground, turn sod, kill plant pests.
– Sabian Symbol for the Solar-Lunar Year: – 20 ARIES: a young girl feeding birds in winter
– Aspect of the Aeon Sophia: (Wisdom): – Kali – The Destroyer
– Aspect of the Aeon Thelete: (Will/Desire): Seth, God of the North, God of Enlightenment
– Sabian Symbol for the Solar-Lunar Month – New Moon in AQUARIUS SUN/MOON – – SUN – 10 AQUARIUS: a popularity that proves to be fleeting (EARTH – 10 LEO: early morning dew )
SUN – 24 AQUARIUS: a man turning his back on his passions, teaches deep wisdom from his experience
EARTH – 24 LEO: totally concentrated upon inner spiritual attainment, a man is sitting in a state of complete neglect of his body
“Why don’t you give me a nice paper cut and pour lemon juice on it?”. ~Miracle Max
Pain
I was thinking of this quote just a few minutes ago as I sliced a lemon for my tea and the juice splashed on the papercut on my thumb. Little pain. Enough to suck on it to stop the sting . . . then wash and bandage it again. Max had a way with words.
This week I saw one of those pain scale charts that gave realistic explanations of the pain levels and the suggested pain medication load needed to deal with it. This wasn’t it, but it is an example.
In the last year I have spent a lot of time thinking about this pain scale. Years ago (80’s – 90’s) I tore up my knees in different accidents. I have endured 3 surgeries and have been able to sense the weather since about 1990.
Given the level of damage, I knew I was a candidate for knee replacement surgery. I knew that the life of these bionic implants was only about 15 years. So I have put off even the thought of it.
Last summer, the pain reached a level that was no longer livable. I am too young to be limping and hobbling everywhere. My orthopedist x-rayed both knees and offered injections. First round lasted about 2 months before the pain returned.
At the second round, they took another look at the x-rays and decided to take it to the MRI level. The news was more dire than expected. Ignoring the arthritis buildup, I have developed cysts in the bones of my right knee, making them brittle. Recommendation for full replacement and repair of the bones.
Now understand, knee replacements are pretty common today. But they noted that mine was pretty unique. One of a kind. Special consult with the device rep. Team meeting of the entire Penn State Hershey Orthopedic team.
Do I feel special? No.
Bone Grafts require at least 8 weeks to heal.
No weight bearing. All crutches or wheelchair
No Driving.
I know that it will be painful. I have had knee surgery 3 times. I have lived at level 8-9 pain. Right now, the pain is not bad. I range between 2-4. When it gets higher, I simply cannot do a whole lot. And that is given 600 mg of Ibuprofen every 6 hours.
I am allergic to opiates and synthetics. Meaning I have Advil and Ice to get me through surgery and recovery.
Looking for Natural Pain Relief
My point in Sharing all my BS with you all is for a little research into pain management that I will not get from my allopaths. They don’t like natural cures. And I do not like Big Pharma.
So what I am doing so far:
- As noted above, Ibuprofen (I have tried Asprin, Tylenol and Naproxin in the past and they are not as effective)
- Ice or Heat – The allopaths suggested heat. I do not usually feel a difference.
- Joint Supplements – I use Glucosamine and Condroitin. It’s cheap, but not real effective. I notice when I am not taking it.
- Weight Loss – This is a universally accepted positive for knee pain. I have lost 15 lbs. since January 1. I credit it with not having to opt for another round of Steroid Injections in January. Goal is to lose another 10 lbs.
- Low Sugar diet – in addition to losing the weight, cutting sugar does wonders for the joints. It’s a hard diet, but I am planning on sticking to much of it in the future.
- CBD/THC rub – I use Dr. Solomon’s Rescue Transdermal Balm – 90 mg THC.
- Weight Training – this is step two after the diet. It is specifically to strengthen my arms and upper body. Life on crutches is not fun. My arms are not ready to bear my 200 lb. frame.
So, I am asking for advice from all of you. Do you know what works or could work? Please send anything you may know. Nothing is too crazy or strange. Price is always an issue. But I am up for an adventure.
Already Planning
I have already planned on a couple non allopathic regiments for managing pain during and after surgery:
- Music – I was reading how listening to music after surgery can speed healing and reduce pain. I will definitely be up for that
- Tapping – Mind over matter works, at least in the short term. And this form of self-hypnosis has proved positive in my world in the past.
Please let me know your advice. I will certainly need it come next June.