Dear friends,
On Wednesday I went hiking in the beautiful Florida wilderness. The hike itself was great, and I came home elated and, I would even say, intoxicated with the beauty of what I had seen. Yet somehow, I managed to sprain my ankle. I did not feel that on the day of the hike thanks probably to a combination of good hiking boots, the heat (over 100F/38C) and all the adrenaline slushing around my system. But the next day the pain got worse, and today it is much worse. I can barely move around my room.
That should not affect the blog too much unless, of course, it get’s worse. There is also the possibility that this is a rare case of gout inside the ankle, in which case it will get worse before it gets better.
Finally, as per Murphy’s law, I need to go on a fairly important trip tomorrow to meet somebody I wanted to meet for a long while. 6 hours by car with a sprained ankle does not sound like fun.
Anyway – all this is to say that should I “disappear” for a day or two or be slow to reply to emails, please cut me some slack and don’t be upset, ok? I hope to be back to normal, God willing, by Sunday.
Hugs and cheers!
The Saker
The deepest wishes for a fast recovery.
In what follow, I want to express my thinking on a specific point.
When restrictive measures, call it sactions or any other way you want, are imposed by one Nation to another Nation, that’s their matter. The other Nation can answer with countermeasures directed against the first, and so on.
When, however, such sanctions are imposed against one Nation by a group of Nations, belonging to a Union or an Organization, the answer should be different. The Nation hit by sanctions by an Organization or Union of Nations has the right, in its turn, to appeal the Union or Organization of which it is part for solidarity countermeasures. This would dramatically change the game and the price to pay for those that started this “game”.
So, Russia should act in such a direction. In the next meetings of the alternative organizations formed by Russia with several other countries, it should be put at the discussion table how an organized, choral answer could be done to stop such type of unfriendly attacks to one of its members. Today is Russia, but tomorrow……
The simple fact that such matter is mentioned and eventually discussed, would be a very strong signal for those that think to be the “bosses” of the World.
So let Russia representatives touch in the discussions such argument and let that be known outside.
For instance, a black list of some Eurocrats forbidden to travel not only in Russia, bu also China, Brasil, India and so on, would be a strong signal. Just let know outside that suche matter has been touched in the discussions.
So put such point on the table.
When a pool of “alternative” big players is discussing this item, it is highly dubious that there will be an escalation. Quite on the opposite, it would be a strong signal to start to deescalate.
Excellent point.
I suspect the BRICS at least will consider exactly such mechanisms.
Unity is strength.
Naproxen sodium (Aleve) is probably your best bet — anti-inflamatory. Or ibuprofin.
Maybe you are just jealous of Zakharchenko getting all the attention? (grin)
Or too much empathy?
Maybe you are just jealous of Zakharchenko getting all the attention?
Bwahahahahaha!!!! Maybe I am subconsciously trying to emulate/imitate him :-))
Cheers and hugs,
The Saker
My wife just got me some crutches. Now I really look like an (ugly version) of Zach :-)
Yeah — baby it. Maybe some hot soaks too (probably too late for cold to control swelling), and keep it up for a while when you can to improve circulation.
I hope it gets better soon — it might – but even then baby it for a while, and see a doctor if it doesn’t improve quickly so it doesn’t turn into a bigger problem.
(I have to tell you from experience though, at 68 — getting old and decrepit isn’t as much fun as it’s cracked up to be, and I’ve found I can’t push myself like I used to, and be more conscious of overdoing things, because the old body just doesn’t respond like it used to, and that started to show when in my 40s, and it took a while for my mind to catch up with what I could do. Stuff like — ‘Hey, why do my arms and back hurt? The stuff I carried was only 150 pounds’.) Getting ‘older and wiser’ isn’t free.
Excellent thoughts.
I had to learn about ‘accumulated effects” of repetitive work. For example, say you go grocery shopping. You fill the shopping basket and, for the sake of this example, it weighs about 200 pounds. One of our local stores is able to sell things for less because they don’t hire people to help the customer, you do about everything for yourself. So think about how many times you lift each item. From the shelf to the cart. From the cart to the conveyer belt. From the conveyer to bag, then back to the shopping cart. Then you push it all out to the car and lift it all into the car trunk. When you get home you lift it all out of the trunk and into the house. You will probably set it down on the counter or someplace until you can get it all put away, which requires lifting it again, at least once. That means each item will be moved, lifted and handled a minimum of six times or more. Times 200 pounds and you have had a 1,200 pound workout.
And we wonder why we can barely crawl out of bed the next day!
Best is to deal with this ankle properly starting now.
I recently injured my toe. In fact, as it turns out I think I broke it.
But thought it was just a stub. I continued to walk (limp) on it, until I finally realized it wasn’t getting any better. So I splinted it and started to take it more seriously l (mainly, staying off it so no pressure/force is put on a broken/sprained area).
So, you should treat this seriously starting now.
Immobilize ankle in proper position with bandage or even cast.
Keep foot up (ankle above heart).
Put on an ice pack for twenty minutes every hour or so to prevent swelling from getting started or keep it at bay.
Do not walk on it. Or use a crutch. But best is to keep the foot elevated.
Wherever you are going tomorrow, let someone else do the driving and keep your foot elevated.
**************
Regarding pushback on sanctioners who think they own the world and are calling all the shots as to who is to be “punished,” I heartily agree that a rude awakening would be a very good thing for these authoritarian “parents” and self-appointed playground monitors. As outlined by Il Discobolo.
Katherine
Hi Saker,
On one occasion I played basketball and the day after felt like I sprained an ankle. Couldn’t remember the exact moment though. Used to play ball professionally so am acquainted with that type of pain and misery.
Bottom line – that’s how I found out I suffered from gout!
Hope not in your case, but thought worth mentioning.
Get well,
FWIW,
I came up with a way to immobilize a joint w/o restricting blood flow. You can take gauze and run the strip through melted bee’s wax. After cooling, you can wrap it around a joint and it acts like a plaster cast as the wax sticks to itself. It becomes a solid mass that will yield somewhat in use.
Might be worth a try, I’m a big fan of wax.
Heat at this point heat is not your friend. Ice. Ice. Ice. Later, heat and ice alternating.
The comment about gout is important because if it is gout, you have a window for treatment which will soon expire.
Beware of ticks, Saker. This has been the worst season on record here in Pennsylvania. Lyme disease can be debilitating.
Hi Saker,
You probably didn’t spent so much time in Ukraine/Russia when you were a child, because you should know that the best medicine as emergency healing help is the Comfrey plant. I can confirm that this is a miracle plant in our nature. All of the Russian babushkas were using this herb for a centuries / also in North America native people /
http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/free-herb-information/comfrey.html
Then go outside / it is growing everywhere except in Sahara or desert conditions / pick up some leaves – stronger one, boil some water and put the leaves into this water for about a minute or so, not so long because they will get dissolved. Wrap the warm leaves around your ankle cover with the cotton fabric soaked in this tea from the leaves. Put some clear plastic on the top and cover with the elastic bandage. Your ankle will heal in NO time.
Comfrey is definitely a miracle plant.
Native proverb: “Don’t cut the tree, because under the tree the herb will grow which will heal you” and Comfrey is one of these miracles.”
Get well soon.
Why are you walking around in the Everglades? Are you giving your distracters a perfect place to end your pro Russian career? So you had an accident and your body was never recovered probably because you made a very good meal for alligators. At least keep your vacation plans a secret.
Que te restablezcas pronto!! My wish you get better soon. Cheers Tata
Some humor regarding Russia, in a video from Germany, with English subtitles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUErvRZYEbE&sns=tw
Mr. Saker,
The nutritionist Carlton Fredericks used to say that whenever he had the urge to exercise, he would sit down until the feeling passed.
Get well soon!
On a more serious note: There have been a series of seizures of Russian state and citizen property by imperialist American/Zionist puppet nations, such as Belgium, and France (nice French imperialist socialists, very nice French zionist socialists). Seizures of this nature are -acts of war-. They are unheard of as peace time actions.
Indeed, France is brazenly (apparently) refusing to return Russian $Money that was deposited for the non delivered Naval helicopter Carriers. Certainly, the puppeted and occupied (by the Anglo/American/Zionist Oligarchs), Ukraine has defaulted on large debts owed to Russia.
I repeat, these kinds and extent of property confiscations are almost always done as Acts of War.
Ironically, much German property was not confiscated throughout World War II, by its supposed enemy Allied nations. But in this confrontation, no pity, no sympathy toward the Russian nation and its people is, or will be shown. Have you noticed all the Grade B anti Russian Hollywood movies are being shown on every available TV channel?
The imperialist Oligarch fury being directed against Russia has 1 essential goal.
1. The goal is to trigger the overthrow of the Russian Democratic Republic, and all its quality leaders, including its elected president Vladimir Putin, and thereby fatally weaken the Russian people and their State, chop them up, install their Quislings, and loot.
At the same time, China is being blackmailed with the threat of nonpayment of all its $Trillions of outstanding loans to the United States, and the rest of the imperialist nations.
Therein lies the rub. One may wish to work “with our partners,” as Putin repeats, but when they stab you in the back (what else can imperialist Oligarchs do?), JUST WHAT shall the leaders of the abused nations do? And, what have they learned from all this?
What possible response can the Russian leaders make as the Panzer (Abram Tank) divisions assume their positions on Russia’s borders, and as their finances (wealth owed to them) are stolen in front of their eyes, and in front of the world’s population who are witnessing this robbery and breaking of promises? The people are also witnessing the passivity and fear of the Russian leaders.
The Russian people and their government must make clear to the imperialists that there are consequences for acts of war conducted against them. Indeed, it will be safer to resist, than to peacefully board the cattle cars. Without consequences, terrorists will continue terrorizing.
For the Russian leaders to fail to liberate their people in the Ukraine, and to reunify the various Republics just to their south, including Georgia, will be an act of betrayal, and of abject surrender to the abject pillage of the imperialists.
Proper consequences for the imperialist violation of the business norms (Contracts – promisory notes – promises), might serve to stabilize the world political situation.
If the imperialists are seizing everything Russian they can lay their hands on, pray-tell what have the Russian nation to lose by restoring what is theirs, safeguarding their people, and teaching the next generations of this planet, that a promise is a promise, and a word must not be broken.
As Che Guevara replied, when asked about his criticism of Russia and China for not doing all they could to aid the Vietnamese, and being warned about the threat by the imperialists of a nuclear holocaust against Russia, and China, he replied, and I paraphrase, that -the imperialists must be forced to make that decision.
The war in Europe is on! The treatment of Russia as being the ENEMY is on! The serious threats against China, (not to repay the $Trillions owed them) is on!
Russia has waited a generation for some friends in Europe to show some backbone. None there. Only jellyfish. Now, Russia’s leaders must be more proactive Bold action by the Russian leaders will do more to shake Europeans free from their bondage to the Anglo/American Zionists, than their inaction. Their liberation of the Crimea was a courageous and decisive move in the direction of Russian liberation and world freedom. If it works, repeat.
I have not advocated that Russians take anything that is not rightly theirs, or that the Americans, or Zionists take anything that is not theirs. Same standards of freedom and justice must be enforced for all.
And: Within the belly of the beast, we must begin to explain these issues to our citizenry.
For the Democratic Republics! IMAGINE
Yes — but the two issues here are getting the Russians together and dealing with the fifth column,
and the matter of timing
so Russia is as best prepared for confrontation, along with the alternative trade partners and such, as is possible.
Also, if Russia can hold out for a bit and collect more support from some of the EU nations then it might be worth it — but that’s uncertain still.
I see at
http://fortruss.blogspot.com/2015/06/russian-manufacturers-beg-putin-to.html
[…]
“Vladimir Vladimirovich, please prop up the dollar, do not let it fall, at least for three years, during this time we will finally settle in domestic and foreign markets”, – asked the General Director of “Kovrov mechanical plant,” Vladimir Lebedev.
[…]
[Putin:]
We understand everything, but we can not overdo it, because excessive weakening of national currency has its negative components, we all know that.
[…]
Well said, Peter J. Antonsen! I advocate that the response should be one which punishes the decision-makers, not the messenger boys. Declare the IMF system a gangsters’ con game (it is) and leave it, calling upon others to join you in decentralized, fully sovereign freedom.
Oh, so sorry to hear that Saker. Rotten way to end a great day.
Sprained ankles never sound like much, but they’re damn painful. Be careful not to do anything to increase inflammation.
Won’t make any crack about Zak and sympathy. I am sure I’ll find at least one when I start reading the comments..:)
Take care and get well soon.
@ Saker
Serves you right.
Well, your eyes are very bright so it’s probably nothing systemic. Get well soon!
About that life expectancy in Russia…
and the market for new cars…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzme8XqR5xY
Driving In Russia May 2014 ☆ SFB
Saker — it could have worse — you might have driving in Russia instead of hiking in the Everglades. :-)
Sorry to hear Saker, take care, please, and get well soon.
Maybe it’s just an overload, and with little rest will be better soon. Also you could apply Tiger Balm (in Chinese or health food stores)
If not, put a compression bandage and ice to reduce inflammation and, when not so inflamed, that someone will make a functional tape bandage (perhaps a physiotherapist).
If itís a long time ago you are not going to the mountain, it is not a good idea, suddenly in one day, make a very long or on difficult terrain up. And always before you start, you must stretch well the muscle groups that you use.
Well, now you’re like Zak and me as “Kappa”, with my left elbow broken joint now by some Acutrack screws ( I feel a little terminator ).
Mine was a fall skating. Talking about pain, I’d rather not remember.
Advil for the pain and apply voltaren in the location where it is swollen.
I would go to the emergency and have an xray just to make sure the ligaments are ok.
Get better soon. The community needs you.
Stretches table for hiking ( to make before and after ):
http://www.estiramientos.es/index.php?filt=senderismo
Saker, If it is gout, try mixing a teaspoon of baking soda with a cup or more of very cold water every 2 or three hours. Once it gets better (2 or 3 days) you can go on a maintenance dose every 2 or 3 days. A couple of friends of mine have had great success with this little home remedy. God’s speed in healing… jdh
Does this have something to do with keeping the body more alkaline and less acidic? Sounds right. Most diseases thrive in an acid environment.
Please, take care of yourself, and best wishes for a speedy recovery!
As one cursed with gout. If you do have it:
1. No alcohol
2. No shellfish
3. No processed meats
Cherry juice and agree on the Aleve suggestion
Get well soon!
“Yet somehow, I managed to sprain my ankle. I did not feel that on the day of the hike… But the next day the pain got worse, and today it is much worse. I can barely move around my room.
I had similar symptoms from redback (black widow-amer) spider bite. Plus fever on third day, nausea on fourth. I was out of action for a month.
Go to a doctor and if that is the case they may have anti venom.
Most definitely wrap that ankle in ice to stop the pain and swelling. Should have done that right away. Magnet therapy always works for soft tissue damage, but be sure and keep the magnets well away from computers and smartphones and tablets. And away from credit cards. Magnets are great for back pain, people! Talk about cheap and easy therapy. A vegetarian diet (Vegan is better) will get rid of Gout permanently. GMOs mess people up good too.
Cher Saker Je vous souhaite rapide rétablissement
Maybe a nearby Saker supporter can be cajoled into driving you to your meeting, and then returning you home? Might be even fun, and no ankle pain.
Get well soon Saker.
Rgds,
Veritas
I first got gout nearly 20 years ago when laying the concrete base of a garden shed when it was very hot. The reason was not drinking enough water. I believe at least for me this is the main cause of gout. Drink sufficient water such that your wee is pretty clear.
How to prevent gout in my experience…
1. Walk or the equivalent exercise of at least 20 mins per day.
2. If you are overweight – reduce it by only eating when you are really hungry rather than at social dinner times.
3. If you drink alcohol – reduce beer consumption and drink more vodka, whisky etc + loads of water.
4. Every day – half a teaspoon of Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Powder) in a Glass of Water…Followed by a Pint of Clear Water….or a a couple of dessert spoons of Cider Vinegar..similarly diluted with lots of water.
5. Cherry Juice..maybe an old wives tale..but I have been gout free for a year.
6. Reduce consumption of animal protein….and eat more beans, veg, eggs etc.
If you wake up in the night and realise you are having a gout attack…Get Up..and walk and walk and walk…drink water + above and a couple of Ibuprofen…if you really have to be there the next day.
Gout can be incredibly painful, but I have managed to almost completely eliminate it without ever visiting a doctor or using any prescription drugs.
If the pain is so bad that you can’t walk – get on your push bike instead and ride. the exercise will help clear your body of the toxins…but remember…have another drink of water.
Tony
Get better soon! Hopefully the trip has been going alright?
Dear Saker; so sorry to hear about your ankle, and I hope that you are back gliding above us soon. I would suggest Arnica for the ankle, and I have heard that celery seed added to one’s diet is beneficial for gout. It sounds like it may be old battle scars and wounds catching up with you to me – I find that I tend to get reminded of ancient injuries following over-exertion!
Keep well, fly high!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery! Just wanted to say how much I enjoy the photos of the sick/hurt Saker. Very cute and humorous.
Caro Saker, melhoras aí!
Dear Saker, hope you get better soon!
Saker
Hope you mend soon. Foot injuries are no fun. Years ago I cracked a bone in my heel doing something stupid while out camping with friends, so I know where you are coming from.
Dear Saker,
most important thing is you take care of yourself and loved ones. all the rest is just repeat of macro and micro history with different actors.
I wish you prompt recovery.
all the best,
BK