I had  My 2week check up yesterday and got my staples removed.  Everything looked good. I graduated from a walker to a cane ( indoors) but have to use walker outside.  I still can't sit at the computer so I'm posting from my kindle. This is a slow process. Since Ron had to work today I'm flying solo. Wish me luck!

It's two weeks today since surgery.  I have my post-op appointment Friday. I also get the staples removed. I'm feeling better but it's not improving fast enough for me. I guess I'm not as patient as I thought I was. I'm so anxious to be pain free and able to move easier.  I'm still using a walker and I'm anxious to get rid of it. 

I have therapy today and the nurse is coming as well.  Guess I'd better get ready.

Friday update

Well it is Friday and I had no scheduled therapy but I did my exercises on my own.  My hamstrings are so tight from not walking for so long.  I'm trying to stretch them but right now they really hurt.  Another side effect of being non ambulatory is that my knees have turned inward and I'm not sure how we are going to straighten my legs. I roll my hip inward causing me to be knocked kneed.

Bella is home now and Ron is happy to get his baby back.  We also had someone come out to install grab bars in the bathroom to make it easier for me.  We are also looking at building a small cottage in the backyard for Mike later on down the road!  We have some other small projects we are considering as well.

I am lying here listening to the thunder and rain this morning! I managed to sleep until 5:00  this morning and after Ron helped me turn over I slept another 3 hours! My PT is coming at 12:00 so have to get up and going! Everyone tells me I'm doling great but to slow down. I think I just want to feel normal again and independent. I'm so lucky to have Ron in my life. I couldn't have done this without him. I'm dreading Monday because Ron will be returning to work.

It is 4 am and I am wide awake!  I managed to get 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep which is great! I hated to wake Ron up to help me turn over. I'll be glad when I can do it myself. 

 I think I may have pushed myself too hard yesterday because I had a lot of pain last night.  The therapist comes again today.

I'm kind of confined to our bedroom because I have a chair on risers that is much more comfortable for me to sit in. I can't sit in the recliner because I can't get up afterward.

Have I mentioned I hate Ted's hose, compression stockings?   Not only are they ugly but they also hurt.  They are also HOT (not in a good way either) I have to wear them 6 weeks.

Well I'm going to try to sleep a little more before I  start the day!

Today was one of those one step back days! I didn't sleep well last night. Got sick to my stomach and I haven't been able to eat.  I need to eat or the pain meds really make me sick.  I walked down the street and went further than yesterday but felt sick as a dog!

My co-worker and friend Linda came by to see me after work!  They told me I kept asking for Ron in the recovery room and kept crying about Linda.  Linda and I have both been using a cane to walk but I was evidently upset that I was going to be able to give mine up but Linda has multiple sclerosis and it is progressive.  Some day she will be in a wheelchair.  Anesthesia is tricky!!!

Tomorrow I see the physical therapist and the occupational therapist.  I hope I feel better than today!

Today was a good day! I slept 7 hours straight through the night last night! This morning I I  got a little emotional because I have a bit of OCD which I've had under control for some time, years to be exact. I get obsessed about symmetry and things being balanced. I got upset this morning when Ron was making the bed because the skirt of the quilt was longer on one side than the other. It was crazy!!!!! I felt like such a crazy b@$&#tech!  My daughter was here and she was able to help me refocus and my sweet husband forgave me!!!!!!!!

Butch brought Mike over after church but all Mike did was cry.  I just hugged him and told him I am doing great. Just have to give a lot of reassurance.

Physically I'm getting stronger and the pain is lessening! I'm so lucky!!!!  Thanks everyone for all the encouragement because it really helped!

I'm home from the hospital. We got home this afternoon. I'm doing pretty good, the pain from before is gone but I have a lost of muscle pain. Just have to work hard rehabbing thugs leg. Ron is tired but he stayed the entire time with me. The home health nurse comes tomorrow and the PT starts Monday!  Welcome life! You were missed!

72 hours

Well, the weekend flew by and there are are only a few things to get done before I'm off to the hospital.  Today is my last day of work.

I'm feeling ok about it all and have resigned myself to get it done and work hard to rehab.  Can't imagine life without this pain but I'm sure anxious to see how much of a difference it will make.

Yesterday I watched a piece on 60 minutes about the desecration of mental health in this country.  As they stated we shut down mental hospitals because we thought that institutionalization was inhumane.  Yet....we have no problem with the fact that we now institutionalize the mentally ill in our prisons and jails.  Sometimes I'm so frustrated when I see the gazillion posts on Facebook about lost dogs or the outrage about an animal being in the shelter.  

Don't get me wrong I don't want to see an animal abused and if they are then the one responsible should be punished severely.  But....I just wish there was as much outrage expressed about human beings being abused by our healthcare system.  Where is our HUMAN compassion?

Cloudy with meatballs

Well it's a gloomy day in Oklahoma if that is the way you choose to look at it or it is a welcomed rain event!  I personally like the thunder and rain and the dark skies don't bother me either.  Our yard badly need this moisture and hopefully will get green and lush!

I only have two more days to work before surgery.  Monday will be my last day and I'm taking Tuesday to finish any errands that need completing.  I just ordered Mike's meds and will pick them up Tuesday.  Gotta keep him stocked or he'll have an anxiety attack.

Awhile back Ron helped Mike clean out a couple of storage buildings in his backyard.  They then filled one of them with items that could go in a yard sale.  I knew we wouldn't have time to do a sale this summer but figured we could get it done perhaps in the Fall.  But it appears Mike has been running a store out of his backyard.  He invites neighbors over to check out his wares (so-to-speak) and he actually made $40.00 yesterday.  He was so proud!  

Well, this may be better than a yard sale.  He's having fun and interacting with his neighbors.  One-at-a-time is not so overwhelming for him and I sure don't care how he does it.......!

I arranged for my older brother and his wife to help me celebrate Mike's 66th birthday this Sunday.  We are all meeting for dinner and Mike is the guest of honor.  His birthday isn't until the 14th but I'll be in the hospital so we are celebrating early.  He asked me this morning if we are celebrating rain or shine?   I assured him a little water wouldn't melt any of us!

Brain Fog

Wow, my brain is slipping.  I had a contract for a school affiliation and instead of sending the signed contract to the school I just filed it!  Also in this process I deleted an email that I obviously should have read.  But what disturbs me the most is I have no memory of doing any of this.

Is this memory issue a result of being under too much stress or is it my age?  Heck, I'm not THAT old at least I don't think I am.

I just hate that feeling......your are staring at something you obviously did but don't have one shred of memory about doing it. 

It was interesting when I was at the hospital last week the RN was going over the patient history with me.  He read through the questions one at a time and then got to the one - "Are you feeling stressed?"  I just looked at him with a questioning look and said......."Really?  You are asking me am I stressed?"  

Now mind you I had already answered a question as to whether I am a caregiver in which I wrote "Yes, to a 65 year old Schizophrenic"

So after a bit of a stare off I said, "Well, I'm about to have the largest joint in my body removed and a metal one pounded into my bone and I can't be under the anesthetic for long or my Schizophrenic brother will not be able to call me 400 times."

He said, "So that's a yes?"

Yeah Sherlock, that's a yes!

 

Poison I I I Ivy

Only one more weekend before surgery.  We got a lot done this past weekend.  I had been trying to find a new home for my piano and my musician neighbor decided to take it.  I haven't been able to play the piano since my hand surgeries 13 years ago.  I decided it was time to part with my piano because it deserves to be played and not used as a large credenza, it was also blocking the path for my walker.  Now my living room looks bare.

In addition to getting the piano out we got the last few things on the list for the hospital.  So.......I suppose we are ready!

Poor Mike got into some poison ivy.  He called me in a panic Friday.  It was on his forehead (too close to his eyes) and on his left hand.  I took him to urgent care and you could see his anxiety just bubbling up.  By the time we got back to the exam room he was in tears.  Poor guy!  The nurses and the doctor were so kind to him it just warmed my heart.  He's now on the road to recovery!  I sure want to keep him well before I go to the hospital next week.

Now, to just get through the week!

Researchers for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority found over 200 dead crows near greater Boston recently, and there was concern that they may have died from Avian Flu.

A Bird Pathologist examined the remains of all the crows, and, to everyone's relief, confirmed the problem was definitely NOT Avian Flu.

The cause of death appeared to be vehicular impacts.

However, during the detailed analysis it was noted that varying colors of paints appeared on the bird's beaks and claws. By analyzing these paint residues it was determined that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with trucks, while only 2% were killed by an impact with a car.

MTA then hired an Ornithological Behaviorist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus car kills.

The Ornithological Behaviorist very quickly concluded the cause: when crows eat road kill, they always have a look-out crow in a nearby tree to warn of impending danger. They discovered that while all the lookout crows could shout "Cah", not a single one could shout "Truck."

Amazing!