TheSwirl.org

I usually wake up in the morning pretty stiff as I am limited in the sleeping positions I can accommodate. Upon arising I slide down to the dining room table to have some tea and read. Usually Eric is up about the same time I am and we both go through a slow wake up process. Eric, Kathryn and I have breakfast together.

Since I still have my staples in my incision and can’t get it wet (or infected) I wash up in the bathroom and get a little assistance from Kathryn to wash my hair, help get dressed and get my right sock and shoe on. Afterwards I do my exercises – which are getting better every day.

I have special seating arrangements in each of the rooms.  I need a high chair (usually created by extra pillows) so that my hip stays open and at less than 90 degree angle.  I also need to have a seat with arms to assist in getting in/out of the chair as I can’t depend solely on using my legs (as I can’t get bent over them yet).  I navigate around the main floor using my walker.  I use a cane to go up/down stairs and I use my crutches when I go to Physical Therapy.  I am hoping to shed the walker in next week or so.

I occupy my time by surfing the internet, reading magazines, watching TV or listening to one of the audio books that I .transferred to my IPod. Right now I am listening to the 1^st Harry Potter book. Prior to my surgery I recorded numerous shows on our DVR. Mainly I have watched shows from The History Channel (The Presidents, History’s Mysteries, and Modern Marvels); and horse training shows from RFD TV.

On their shopping foray Kathryn & Eric bought a piggy bank for Eric to paint.  It took about 3 sessions of 20 minutes each for him to douse it with the colors he wanted, but it was good entertainment for him. 

This shows the finished product.

Yesterday was a gorgeous day. I went outside on the deck for a couple of hours and sat in a chair in the sun while Eric made bubbles,

tried to jump rope,

shot baskets and played in his sand box.

I brushed the dog and got a lot of dead hair out of him.

We all crashed for a nap, Kathryn went on a walk with the dog while Eric and I did puzzles. At night Skip and Rhinda brought over a delicious pot roast dinner. The meat was tender and moist, the vegetables were firm and gravy was great. We all chowed down and followed it with vanilla ice cream with berry sauce. Then we watched SU win the Big East Tournament beating Pittsburgh to complete their improbable campaign of four close victories over Cincinnati, Connecticut, Georgetown and Pittsburgh.

Sunday morning Kathryn and Eric went to Walmart and BJs for provisions. We again crashed for a nap and upon arising Eric painted his new piggy bank and did some new 25 piece puzzles while Kathryn and Trey went for a walk through the fog and mist. Tomorrow I go for blood tests and began my Physical Therapy sessions.

I have met with * My orthopedic surgeon * The hospital who gave me a briefing and had me fill out a ton of paper work and drew blood * Red Cross to draw blood & store my blood in case things get really desperate * My primary care physician who drew blood and did an EKG to check me out to ensure I was healthy enough to operate on and who wanted an assessment from * My cardiac specialist who did an EKG and stress test Everyone gave a clean bill of health to proceed. I have packed my bag with clothes and books. I have my Ipod loaded with music and a couple of audiobooks. Since I will not be able to shower until the incision is closed I have purchase waterless shampoo and today got my hair cut to a buzz. We have rearranged the furniture in the living room and bedroom to better accommodate my walker. I have done what I can think of to make it easier for Kathryn - coordinate with the bank, shovel snow from everything that might need to be kept clear. Pretty much the only thing that didn’t get done was the installation of a side step bar for getting into my truck, but I have a plan B to try and get that done - it will just have to happen during the 1st couple weeks of my recuperation. And today our old washing machine broke down and K went out and got a new one, which won’t be installed until the 15th. Right now I am just trying to get to Tuesday without catching Eric’s cold or the intestinal bug that has been going around. Monday afternoon I call the hospital to see what time I am scheduled for. Tuesday is the operation, Tuesday night & Wednesday is ICU, Thursday I move to a regular unit and get up to move, Friday I try to walk a little with a walker, Saturday I show them that I can get up and down the stairs and hopefully will get to go home. The following week I start rehab, 6 weeks later I lose the crutches and return to work. It sounds so easy doesn’t it?

Eric demonstrates the escalator that he and I built from ascending pillows, stools and chairs.