Wow! These last few days I experienced lots of new things. I have kept busy with TLC, the house and on my couch.
Friday, the 13th is a superstitious day for some people. I barely noticed, and that was because news commentators informed me. It was a day of new independence for me. So I consider that lucky! I was allowed to take a bath all by myself. No spectators, no interference, just me and warm vanilla sugar. (My favorite Bath and Body Works scent.) My excellent behavior convinced Rick I would not do anything stupid and I could keep my balance. Actually, I think he really knew this all along, but wanted to enjoy the sight.
As the bathroom door shut behind me and I indulged myself in the peacefulness of the occasion, I couldn't help but revisit a time long ago. In my child rearing days the bathroom was the only place I could have any type of privacy. I remember my shower as my favorite time of day. I usually tried to sneak it in between early morning feeding of the current infant and the pitter patter of the current toddler's feet as they made a dash to the kitchen table for breakfast. Many days those precious few minutes were the only silent prayer time I eked out of my marathon day. I recall more than once getting spiritual direction as I prayed and washed simultaneously. You might say "I was washed clean."
These past few months Rick has taken on additional responsiblilities with his parents, their health and business. When those are added to hisonw business, community and family obligations, it makes him one busy man. So I spent most of Friday just being on the couch with minimal help. I nearly completed the Christmas card mailing that morning. My life long friend since 8th grade came and spent the afternoon. She came to work, but I much preferred her company. So we mostly chatted the afternoon away. We did accomplish making up the guest room beds with the clean bedding that had waited for two weeks. TLC was an immense help as I wheeled myself from the head to the foot of the beds. The rooms looked finished once again. Thanks, Joan!
Extreme Makeover: Home Addition. A program that I have watched on occasion, so it was no effort on my part to spend Friday evening with my foot in the air for their series finale. Pretty incredible the impact they have made in lives over the years. The houses they built in Joplin, MO appeared to be appropriate. Some of them in the past seemed over the top. Blah, blah...
Saturday morning was greeted with a cup of coffee and a friend at the door. She had come to clean the house for me. But I noticed her leg was bandaged and she explained she had surgery earlier in the week. That was the end of floor duty for this week. Instead we sat and exchanged ideas and had an awesome 'girl to girl' conversation. Mindy helped me get our laundry started so I could wheel myself to the utility room as loads completed their weekly 'now wearable in public' cycles.
The conversation with a former TLC rider gave me the notion to try skills at bulldozing, rider style. I soon figured out the most efficient method of moving laundry baskets from room to room. All those years of tractor/grain cart operations came in handy. I can add laundry service back to my list of things I can do for myself. In the last 10 days, every day chores have gone from almost impossible to manageable, but slower. I can live with that.
Rick and I attended Mass in the afternoon. The weather was nice and I enjoyed the snowmobiles and the excited enthusiasts I saw along the drive. Rick packed the TLC and I was able to make my way to the pew unassisted. Our parish priest raised his eyebrows a bit as I rolled myself down the center aisle after the majority of the congregations had exited the church. Wish we had a church calender, I think I could have made one of the month's pin up parishioners. :)
NO, I did not watch Miss America. But am glad Miss Wisconsin won. Way to represent the Midwest.
Showing posts with label Bye. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bye. Show all posts
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Friday, January 13, 2012
Progress continues bye, bye bunions
It seems I have initiated a new routine. . Thursday morning found me bright eyed and bushy tailed before five. I wheeled to the kitchen and made my lazy latte. Early morning is my favorite time of day. After devotions, I began reading a new book, Papa's Wife, copyright 1955. (That was a great year!) My mom loaned me the series of three. One of my goals during this recovery was to read more.
I found too much wheeling and dealing with TLC, gave me back spasms so I spent the majority of the day on my perch. Rick, my favorite fix it man, adjusted the height on TLC and it helped some. Thursday became one of the days before Christmas because I spent the majority of the day writing notes on our annual Christmas letter.
At noon I ventured to the kitchen. Withdrawal had set it. Out came my cast iron skillet, an onion, chef knife and cutting board. It didn't take long to slice, dice and saute the onion. Oh the smell that tickled my sniffer as I stirred and smiled. It felt so good! I finished one of my favorite ways to fix spinach and popped the dish into the oven.
Rick ran business errands all morning and came in hungry for left over roast and vegetables, courtesy of sister-in-law, Sally. That was fine with me. "No problem, my spinach can be my supper." The meal of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage tasted as good as the first time around
I wheeled myself to my shop for a bit in the afternoon. My booted foot rested on my desk as I answered the phone and caught up on a bit of paperwork. Soon, the couch called my name and I was quite happy to answer it.
Thursday was a pretty quiet day. The snow sprinkled whiteness all day and the wind was intent on spreading the love around. It was a good day to stay inside and be glad I had no reason to go outside.
I enjoyed my evening meal of spinach casserole, followed my dessert of fresh apple dipped into my favorite fruit dip: low-fat vanilla yogurt blended with peanutbutter.
I had a bit of pain in my left foot in the afternoon. Probably because I spent more time in a vertical position than previous days and also I began my foot exercises. Bend, rotate, repeat. It wasn't enough discomfort to pop a pill, just enough to let me know to 'go slowly'.
After such an exhausting day, the sandman came for a visit shortly after eight.
Spinach Casserole:
15 ounces fresh spinach
1/2 onion, diced
1-12 oz carton low fat cottage cheese
2 eggs, beaten
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
Olive oil
Saute onion in small amount olive until softened and brown. Add spinach and stir until it is wilted.
In a small bowl, combine eggs, cottage cheese and shredded cheese. Add spinach/onion mix and pour in an oiled casserole dish. Bake for one hour in a 350 degree onion or until set. Enjoy.
Fruit Dip:
Three Tablespoons LowFat/Sugar Free Vanilla Yogurt
1 heaping teaspoon natural peanutbutter.
Blend until well mixed. Enjoy with fresh apple wedges, banana slices, or your favorite fresh fruit.
I found too much wheeling and dealing with TLC, gave me back spasms so I spent the majority of the day on my perch. Rick, my favorite fix it man, adjusted the height on TLC and it helped some. Thursday became one of the days before Christmas because I spent the majority of the day writing notes on our annual Christmas letter.
At noon I ventured to the kitchen. Withdrawal had set it. Out came my cast iron skillet, an onion, chef knife and cutting board. It didn't take long to slice, dice and saute the onion. Oh the smell that tickled my sniffer as I stirred and smiled. It felt so good! I finished one of my favorite ways to fix spinach and popped the dish into the oven.
Rick ran business errands all morning and came in hungry for left over roast and vegetables, courtesy of sister-in-law, Sally. That was fine with me. "No problem, my spinach can be my supper." The meal of roast beef, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage tasted as good as the first time around
I wheeled myself to my shop for a bit in the afternoon. My booted foot rested on my desk as I answered the phone and caught up on a bit of paperwork. Soon, the couch called my name and I was quite happy to answer it.
Thursday was a pretty quiet day. The snow sprinkled whiteness all day and the wind was intent on spreading the love around. It was a good day to stay inside and be glad I had no reason to go outside.
I enjoyed my evening meal of spinach casserole, followed my dessert of fresh apple dipped into my favorite fruit dip: low-fat vanilla yogurt blended with peanutbutter.
I had a bit of pain in my left foot in the afternoon. Probably because I spent more time in a vertical position than previous days and also I began my foot exercises. Bend, rotate, repeat. It wasn't enough discomfort to pop a pill, just enough to let me know to 'go slowly'.
After such an exhausting day, the sandman came for a visit shortly after eight.
Spinach Casserole:
15 ounces fresh spinach
1/2 onion, diced
1-12 oz carton low fat cottage cheese
2 eggs, beaten
4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese
Olive oil
Saute onion in small amount olive until softened and brown. Add spinach and stir until it is wilted.
In a small bowl, combine eggs, cottage cheese and shredded cheese. Add spinach/onion mix and pour in an oiled casserole dish. Bake for one hour in a 350 degree onion or until set. Enjoy.
Fruit Dip:
Three Tablespoons LowFat/Sugar Free Vanilla Yogurt
1 heaping teaspoon natural peanutbutter.
Blend until well mixed. Enjoy with fresh apple wedges, banana slices, or your favorite fresh fruit.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Bye, Bye Bunions Day 7
Seven days ago I was at the hospital preparing for bunion, and tailor bunion surgery. The last week has been much easier than I anticipated. Pain level - little to none, certainly nothing to write about. Treatment from my husband, Rick - A+. He has done things around the house that are out of his comfort zone and I am grateful. Dishes washed, floors swept, food prepared and my needs attended. What more could I ask of him?
Wednesday morning was a big outing for me. I had an appointment with my podiatrist to check the progress. I felt like a rich babe with a chauffeur as I sat in the back seat and Rick drove me around town. Rick had packed TLC, so I wheeled myself into the building. Once my name was called, off I zipped, only to be told to slow down. Oops, sorry nurse.
The big black boot came off, along with the dressings and for the first time I saw my foot. It actually looked better than I envisioned. Parts were bruised, I expected that, but swelling was less than I had imagined. The coolest thing - my foot was straight. This was a new experience for me - to look down at a pretty foot. It doesn't look like my left foot belongs to me.
Dr. Cervetti came in, said everything looked good. My foot held no surprises for him. He explained in easy terms what he did. Basically, he cut bones on both sides of my foot, realigned the bones, and screwed the bones back together. I would have expected more pain than I experienced. I must have chosen the best podiatrist in our area to fix me up. :)
After we exchanged jokes, and I gave him the address for this blog, he and Rick got into a discussion about Rick's feet! Rick may be next...
Generally, I followed instructions for recovery well. If grades were awarded, I received a B+, maybe an A-. What did she do wrong you must be asking yourself.
I stayed off my foot, no weight on it, didn't bump it, iced it several times a day, took medicine if needed, used crutches or TLC, BUT I didn't take the big black boot off at all. I thought I was supposed to leave it on for protection, support, etc. Wrong! I should have removed it several times a day so it didn't sweat. The boot was damp. Gotcha, Doc!
My next adventure was Walmart. Rick needed some things at Farm and Fleet, so I convinced him to let me get a few craft supplies and groceries. TLC was great. I wheeled myself to the craft department, sauntered through groceries and was checking out when he called to say he was finished. Along the way I visited with a kind gentleman who stopped to inquire about my 'ride'. I able to carry all the purchases in the bicycle basket attached to TLC. It felt good to be on my own, if even for a few minutes. But I must admit, I was exhausted when I parked myself in the back seat and was grateful for the chance to just be still.
The rest of the day was spent resting with my foot up, boot off. I worked on Christmas cards, looked on my Nook to find the next book to read, and took a nap. Rick picked up Cavanaugh and Kile, my normal Wednesday afternoon routine. He had a meeting in the evening, so I was on my own for my evening meal. I reheated a bowl of California Vegetable soup, spread a homemade roll, from Sally, with peanut butter, and managed to make it back to my perch on the couch.
Sleepy time came early for me on Day Number 7. It was a big day.
Wednesday morning was a big outing for me. I had an appointment with my podiatrist to check the progress. I felt like a rich babe with a chauffeur as I sat in the back seat and Rick drove me around town. Rick had packed TLC, so I wheeled myself into the building. Once my name was called, off I zipped, only to be told to slow down. Oops, sorry nurse.
The big black boot came off, along with the dressings and for the first time I saw my foot. It actually looked better than I envisioned. Parts were bruised, I expected that, but swelling was less than I had imagined. The coolest thing - my foot was straight. This was a new experience for me - to look down at a pretty foot. It doesn't look like my left foot belongs to me.
Dr. Cervetti came in, said everything looked good. My foot held no surprises for him. He explained in easy terms what he did. Basically, he cut bones on both sides of my foot, realigned the bones, and screwed the bones back together. I would have expected more pain than I experienced. I must have chosen the best podiatrist in our area to fix me up. :)
After we exchanged jokes, and I gave him the address for this blog, he and Rick got into a discussion about Rick's feet! Rick may be next...
Generally, I followed instructions for recovery well. If grades were awarded, I received a B+, maybe an A-. What did she do wrong you must be asking yourself.
I stayed off my foot, no weight on it, didn't bump it, iced it several times a day, took medicine if needed, used crutches or TLC, BUT I didn't take the big black boot off at all. I thought I was supposed to leave it on for protection, support, etc. Wrong! I should have removed it several times a day so it didn't sweat. The boot was damp. Gotcha, Doc!
My next adventure was Walmart. Rick needed some things at Farm and Fleet, so I convinced him to let me get a few craft supplies and groceries. TLC was great. I wheeled myself to the craft department, sauntered through groceries and was checking out when he called to say he was finished. Along the way I visited with a kind gentleman who stopped to inquire about my 'ride'. I able to carry all the purchases in the bicycle basket attached to TLC. It felt good to be on my own, if even for a few minutes. But I must admit, I was exhausted when I parked myself in the back seat and was grateful for the chance to just be still.
The rest of the day was spent resting with my foot up, boot off. I worked on Christmas cards, looked on my Nook to find the next book to read, and took a nap. Rick picked up Cavanaugh and Kile, my normal Wednesday afternoon routine. He had a meeting in the evening, so I was on my own for my evening meal. I reheated a bowl of California Vegetable soup, spread a homemade roll, from Sally, with peanut butter, and managed to make it back to my perch on the couch.
Sleepy time came early for me on Day Number 7. It was a big day.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Bye, Bye, Bunions!
It's a family genetic trait - bunions. My mother has them, her mother had them, and I 'have 'enjoyed' them for as long as I can remember. Lest you think they came from ill fitting shoes, or wearing ridiculously high heels, I live in blue jeans, and flat shoes. If the issue is forced, I will put on a dress with two inch clunky heals. So it must be genetic.
The last few years my feet have been letting me that I have the family 'heirlooms'. This fall I decided it's time to do something about the fact I can wear only one pair of sneakers without spasms invading my foundation. I looked rather silly wearing gray and hot pink tackies with a beautiful black dress at the wedding I attended in October. After visiting with what I hoped was the best podiatrist in the area, I scheduled the first of two surgeries for January 5, 2012. This blog will track the progress I make as I journey through surgery and recovery. Sitting with my foot up and no weight bearing will be a challenge.
Prelude: Begin the daily foot scrub. Now a days, we get to be a member of the surgical team by washing the soon to be sliced body part with bentandine scrub for three days leading up to the procedure. Each morning I opened the scrub brush and nail cleaner and lathered up my foot and leg. I felt like I was Hawkeye Pierce on M.A.S.H. as I worked away removing the grime. The night before I took two Celebrex tablets with my meal and then refrained from eating after midnight. What? Am I a gremlin? At least I could drink clear liquids until eight a.m. on the morning of January 5, which I took full advantage. My last glass of water was at seven fifty-nine a.m. aaahhh.
January 5, 2012 The big day:
Up early, which is nothing new for me. Four a.m found me enjoying a can of sprite. After working for an hour, I took a nap, arising at six a.m. Of course, I had to finish my last minute order, so at nine forty-five a.m. I shut machines off, hit the shower and left for the hospital shortly after ten. We were to be checked in at ten forty-five a.m. for twelve- fifteen surgery. Things were ahead of schedule for my doc, so I left cheerfully for the operating room at eleven forty-five. I felt surprisingly calm.
The surgical team resembled a colony of ants as they each scurried to do their assigned task. It wasn't long before the happy medicine had me asleep while the group did what the insurance company and I paid them to do. I awoke as they were finishing up and soon was on my way back to the room, to my husband. It took around two hours to fix my bunion and the tailor bunion as well.
The doctor came into for a post surgery visit and I let him have a few of my choice zingers, "The only thing domestic about my husband is he lives in a house.", along with other choice one liners. He left with a smile, and a promise to see me in his office in a week. After a short nap, yummy cinnamon bread with hot tea, I was soon ready to head to my home. These drive through surgeries are not so bad. I had met with physical therapy earlier that day to learn to use my crutches, a new experience for me. Pain level on the way home - ZERO !
My loving husband propped me up on our couch/recliner- my new home for the next two weeks. The numbing medication in my foot had subdued any pain for the evening. I took two more Celebrex and settled in for the night. So far, so good. Pain level- still at zero.
The last few years my feet have been letting me that I have the family 'heirlooms'. This fall I decided it's time to do something about the fact I can wear only one pair of sneakers without spasms invading my foundation. I looked rather silly wearing gray and hot pink tackies with a beautiful black dress at the wedding I attended in October. After visiting with what I hoped was the best podiatrist in the area, I scheduled the first of two surgeries for January 5, 2012. This blog will track the progress I make as I journey through surgery and recovery. Sitting with my foot up and no weight bearing will be a challenge.
Prelude: Begin the daily foot scrub. Now a days, we get to be a member of the surgical team by washing the soon to be sliced body part with bentandine scrub for three days leading up to the procedure. Each morning I opened the scrub brush and nail cleaner and lathered up my foot and leg. I felt like I was Hawkeye Pierce on M.A.S.H. as I worked away removing the grime. The night before I took two Celebrex tablets with my meal and then refrained from eating after midnight. What? Am I a gremlin? At least I could drink clear liquids until eight a.m. on the morning of January 5, which I took full advantage. My last glass of water was at seven fifty-nine a.m. aaahhh.
January 5, 2012 The big day:
Up early, which is nothing new for me. Four a.m found me enjoying a can of sprite. After working for an hour, I took a nap, arising at six a.m. Of course, I had to finish my last minute order, so at nine forty-five a.m. I shut machines off, hit the shower and left for the hospital shortly after ten. We were to be checked in at ten forty-five a.m. for twelve- fifteen surgery. Things were ahead of schedule for my doc, so I left cheerfully for the operating room at eleven forty-five. I felt surprisingly calm.
The surgical team resembled a colony of ants as they each scurried to do their assigned task. It wasn't long before the happy medicine had me asleep while the group did what the insurance company and I paid them to do. I awoke as they were finishing up and soon was on my way back to the room, to my husband. It took around two hours to fix my bunion and the tailor bunion as well.
The doctor came into for a post surgery visit and I let him have a few of my choice zingers, "The only thing domestic about my husband is he lives in a house.", along with other choice one liners. He left with a smile, and a promise to see me in his office in a week. After a short nap, yummy cinnamon bread with hot tea, I was soon ready to head to my home. These drive through surgeries are not so bad. I had met with physical therapy earlier that day to learn to use my crutches, a new experience for me. Pain level on the way home - ZERO !
My loving husband propped me up on our couch/recliner- my new home for the next two weeks. The numbing medication in my foot had subdued any pain for the evening. I took two more Celebrex and settled in for the night. So far, so good. Pain level- still at zero.
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