Health

Life’s Road Can Be Bumpy

/ doubledacres / 8 Comments

I had plans to see America from horseback. Then in October 2020, I had to have a complete ankle replacement or be confined to a wheelchair. There were complications and my days of riding were over. After healing, the good news was that for the first time since 1979, I was pain free. Things were looking up and life was good.

In 2022 I started having balance issues. My legs started swelling and my feet and legs started giving me problems. I was also diagnosed as a Type 2 diabetic. Then in January 2025 I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy and a clogged lymphatic system. It is very painful and walking becomes difficult. Three months ago, it invaded my arms and hands. I can barely write and what I manage to write I can’t even read.

I made a decision to use a holistic approach to treat my ailments and it is working quite well. I have made good progress. The pain I am controlling with Vicks Vapo Rub and horse liniment and the diabetes I am controlling with apple cider vinegar. I just did a 3 mile hike without any problems.

The mountain is made up of 1.5-billion-year-old Precambrian rhyolite. When it cooled it fractured into polygonal columns that resembled honeycomb. The locals named the formation “Devil’s Honeycomb.”

Now with my balance issues, caused by the neuropathy, I probably couldn’t even sit a horse. I used to be able to ride a bucking horse for 8 seconds but now I couldn’t pass a field sobriety test stone cold sober. It is what it is. At least I am still on the right side of the dirt.

If I had a chance to do it all over again, I would have a plan A, B and C retirement plan. Thanks for taking the time to read my story. Always have a back up plan to get through the rough parts of the road of life.

Don’t Be a Wayne

/ doubledacres / 5 Comments

The following photos are anything but flattering. I am not posting them for pity. I am posting them to show how serious a clogged lymphatic system and neuropathy can be. Don’t ignore the symptoms like I did. Please seek help right away. Don’t put it off.

Swelling caused by clogged lymphatic system.

The right ankle is the ankle replacement I received in 2020. It seems to attract more fluid causing an edema or so say the doctors.

Special compression socks set up.

Compression boots I use an hour in morning and an hour at night. I also use redlight therapy for 40 minutes in morning and 40 minutes at night. Doctor said I would have to use the boots the rest of my life.

The neuropathy causes you to feel like you are walking on rocks and can be quite painful. The skin hurts when touched. Neuropathy is usually caused by diabetes, but the doctor has told me that people can have it without being diabetic. you have a tingling like your feet and legs are asleep and sometimes it feels like bugs are crawling up your legs. The swelling in the feet can be so bad it feels like your feet are going to bust open.

The neuropathy is working its way into my arms and hands, and I am losing the ability to write. What I do manage to write I can’t read it. I am also losing strength in them. It is also hard to type.

Please if you have tingling and burning in your legs and feet don’t ignore it. See your doctor and also eat a healthy diet.

Again, I am not looking for sympathy by any means, I am just trying to make people aware of how serious it can be. It also affects your balance, and I have taken several hard falls.

Anasazi Beans

/ doubledacres / 7 Comments
Anasazi Beans

The Anasazi bean is packed with protein, starches, fiber, potassium and calcium. They cook in a third of the time of other beans. They also contain a large amount of iron. They have been cultivated by Southwestern Native American tribes in the U. S. for generations. They tend to be milder and sweeter than other beans and have a fourth less of gas-causing carbohydrates than found in other beans.

Cooking on my outside stove in my cast iron bean pot.

Health benefits are they treat and prevent diabetes, fight cancer, improve heart health, boost the immune system and combat inflammation. They are quite tasty and are good for you. They contain a carbohydrate-binding protein by the name of lectin which is a natural glucose-binder that helps manage blood sugar. One research showed the antimutagenic and antiproliferative compounds were beneficial in decreasing the risk of cancer as well as reducing the spread of cancer.

Ready to go on the fire.

On the fire and cooking.

Tasty and healthy. A great combination.