For all of my 63 years, my scars have been on the inside. Having this first knee surgery now shows a BIG scar on my left leg.
It's incredible how quickly the giant wound healed. It's disgusting to look at (or touch) still, but moving right along. Currently, I'm slathering coconut oil and Vitamin E oil on it twice a day. I would love to do it more, but it really ruins my clothes. I hope I can "shout" out the oil stain on my Maui sweats.
Do any of you have lotions or potions that worked on your scars?
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
HIBERNATION
Lately, I feel like I can sleep 15 hours a day ... if I take a little nap!
But I embrace this temporary feeling. I love that it's dark earlier and there is a nip in the air at night. And I have always enjoyed sleeping. Lately, though, I have had insomnia! Can't seem to fall asleep until after 3:00 am. I'm so glad I do not have to go to work nor do I have ANYTHING on my calendar (except for physical therapy). Don't know how people do that if they don't get their sleep. And I have several friends who are still employed at our age.
I have been walking 3,000 steps a day (thank you FitBit) hoping that exercise will help me get to sleep. After therapy tomorrow, I will see if it's okay to walk more. He wanted to build up the muscles around the knee before much walking. Hibernation is not so good for my new knee. The whole area is now a big bruise and I'm slathering coconut oil and Vitamin E oil on it to help things heal.
The best thing about hibernation? I get to fly to Maui in five weeks and we don't have time changes or nippy weather (usually) and it gets dark at almost the same time every day of the year.
But I embrace this temporary feeling. I love that it's dark earlier and there is a nip in the air at night. And I have always enjoyed sleeping. Lately, though, I have had insomnia! Can't seem to fall asleep until after 3:00 am. I'm so glad I do not have to go to work nor do I have ANYTHING on my calendar (except for physical therapy). Don't know how people do that if they don't get their sleep. And I have several friends who are still employed at our age.
I have been walking 3,000 steps a day (thank you FitBit) hoping that exercise will help me get to sleep. After therapy tomorrow, I will see if it's okay to walk more. He wanted to build up the muscles around the knee before much walking. Hibernation is not so good for my new knee. The whole area is now a big bruise and I'm slathering coconut oil and Vitamin E oil on it to help things heal.
The best thing about hibernation? I get to fly to Maui in five weeks and we don't have time changes or nippy weather (usually) and it gets dark at almost the same time every day of the year.
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATION
My youngest grandson is 18 months old. With this child, my daughter discovered baby wearing. And it's been a great thing!
Deacon is a very high maintenance baby. The only way she could go anywhere or get anything done, was by wearing him. Sometimes in the front and sometimes in the back. He (and so does she!) loves feeling the body of the other person. Guess what? These baby carriers are NOT like what I remember!
She first started with a shirt that had a cocoon inside for him. Easy to nurse him when he was inside. Then she moved to Moby ... a giant piece of fabric that was folded and tucked into itself. Next she gave ring slings a try. She has finally settled on Tula. This is such an interesting phenomenon ... the carriers are very expensive and there is a whole group of mommies who meet up and talk on Facebook! They lend each other carriers so a new Mom can be sure she gets what works best for her. And they also buy and sell used ones. Apparently some are so in demand that she sold one for MORE than she paid for it.
Deacon is a very high maintenance baby. The only way she could go anywhere or get anything done, was by wearing him. Sometimes in the front and sometimes in the back. He (and so does she!) loves feeling the body of the other person. Guess what? These baby carriers are NOT like what I remember!
She first started with a shirt that had a cocoon inside for him. Easy to nurse him when he was inside. Then she moved to Moby ... a giant piece of fabric that was folded and tucked into itself. Next she gave ring slings a try. She has finally settled on Tula. This is such an interesting phenomenon ... the carriers are very expensive and there is a whole group of mommies who meet up and talk on Facebook! They lend each other carriers so a new Mom can be sure she gets what works best for her. And they also buy and sell used ones. Apparently some are so in demand that she sold one for MORE than she paid for it.
This morning this is what we saw ....
Deacon carrying his "baby duck" ....
This is just one example of why I don't think I'd choose a 55+ neighborhood situation. We need an intergenerational mix of personality, products, eating styles and more.
Monday, October 12, 2015
CATSUP or KETCHUP?
Well, apparently I wasn't 100% better from the stomach bug ... I guess it is playing hide and seek with me.
But I had advised Jesse he could have the day off from kitchen duty on Sunday! I made tiny silver dollar size pancakes for breakfast! And cut up some fruit. All three boys ate like lumberjacks.
Before I started breakfast, I put the most beautiful chuck roast in the crockpot to simmer all day. An hour or two before eating, I tossed in carrots and onions from the Farmer's Market along with some celery. The grande special of the day ... twice baked potatoes. And a nice green salad.
Both grandboys loved the potatoes but would not even try the beef! Braeden got himself so worked up that he was crying, which made me cry, which worried Deacon ... just as Mom walked through the door after working all day. Dad tried explaining it was steak, he'd eaten chuck roast before, and tried hiding some in potato, all to no avail. So he got out a new plate, wiped off ALL the juice on a bit of the roast, put the carrot on the side (after wiping off the sauce) and added a bit of salad on the side.
With a nice dollop of catsup beside a nice dollop of ranch dressing, Mr. B heartily ate all of his meat after a good dunking in the red stuff. Mom fixed Deacon some toddler ravioli.
Now I remember why kids love those divided plates. With a nice spot for ketchup.
But I had advised Jesse he could have the day off from kitchen duty on Sunday! I made tiny silver dollar size pancakes for breakfast! And cut up some fruit. All three boys ate like lumberjacks.
Before I started breakfast, I put the most beautiful chuck roast in the crockpot to simmer all day. An hour or two before eating, I tossed in carrots and onions from the Farmer's Market along with some celery. The grande special of the day ... twice baked potatoes. And a nice green salad.
Both grandboys loved the potatoes but would not even try the beef! Braeden got himself so worked up that he was crying, which made me cry, which worried Deacon ... just as Mom walked through the door after working all day. Dad tried explaining it was steak, he'd eaten chuck roast before, and tried hiding some in potato, all to no avail. So he got out a new plate, wiped off ALL the juice on a bit of the roast, put the carrot on the side (after wiping off the sauce) and added a bit of salad on the side.
With a nice dollop of catsup beside a nice dollop of ranch dressing, Mr. B heartily ate all of his meat after a good dunking in the red stuff. Mom fixed Deacon some toddler ravioli.
Now I remember why kids love those divided plates. With a nice spot for ketchup.
Saturday, October 10, 2015
CATCHING UP
Well. That was a total loss of a week! What an icky virus.
Friday morning I moved back to the condo filled with family. It's going great and I slept NINE HOURS straight! Gosh I love my bed. It's just a fold out twin but with the 3 inch memory foam topper, it is comfort galore. Mr. B slept there while I was away and apparently it agreed with him also. I have a feeling that will be his room when I am in Maui.
This morning was delightful as I had the two wee ones all to myself for a couple of hours. Mom was at work and Dad was enjoying a bit of time off watching a grown up movie in the bedroom. Now he is walking them up to the Farmer's Market (last of the season, I think) in the rain! Braeden is so excited because now that he is almost five, he has his own umbrella!
It's about 70 degrees with a medium rain falling and grey, grey, grey. Thankfully I got the dog walked just as it started! YES! I can walk (slowly) with a 65 lb dog! The knee is doing just great. I missed two therapy appointments last week and I sure hope that didn't permanently damage me.
I think I've talked my family into having Thanksgiving a week early so I can head to Maui. Jesse has two brothers, his Mom and several Grandmothers, aunts and uncles so they will always have someplace to go. I hope we get to Facetime (or Skype) once a week on the computer (easier to pay attention to a big screen than a telephone). I'd like to read them and I will send them a copy of whatever book if it is not at their library.
That's it from the missing Awkward Widow!
Friday morning I moved back to the condo filled with family. It's going great and I slept NINE HOURS straight! Gosh I love my bed. It's just a fold out twin but with the 3 inch memory foam topper, it is comfort galore. Mr. B slept there while I was away and apparently it agreed with him also. I have a feeling that will be his room when I am in Maui.
This morning was delightful as I had the two wee ones all to myself for a couple of hours. Mom was at work and Dad was enjoying a bit of time off watching a grown up movie in the bedroom. Now he is walking them up to the Farmer's Market (last of the season, I think) in the rain! Braeden is so excited because now that he is almost five, he has his own umbrella!
It's about 70 degrees with a medium rain falling and grey, grey, grey. Thankfully I got the dog walked just as it started! YES! I can walk (slowly) with a 65 lb dog! The knee is doing just great. I missed two therapy appointments last week and I sure hope that didn't permanently damage me.
I think I've talked my family into having Thanksgiving a week early so I can head to Maui. Jesse has two brothers, his Mom and several Grandmothers, aunts and uncles so they will always have someplace to go. I hope we get to Facetime (or Skype) once a week on the computer (easier to pay attention to a big screen than a telephone). I'd like to read them and I will send them a copy of whatever book if it is not at their library.
That's it from the missing Awkward Widow!
Sunday, October 4, 2015
SUNNY SUNDAY
And here I sit in front of my computer. With an intestinal bug. UGH! Pepto Bismal and toast since yesterday. I was getting myself a little worked up worried that I might be getting an infection (chills, sleeplessness) until my buddy called to say she woke up with a stomach bug! EXACT same symptoms. Nothing at all to do with surgery! Whew.
Fortunately I'm still at the guest suite so I hope I didn't infect the rest of the family. I've invited Braeden over to spend the night on Weds and Thurs nights. His Mom has those days off so she can hang with him during the day and share him with me overnight.
I can't believe he will be turning FIVE! I still remember Poppa carrying him around in the crook of his arm, proud as punch. And proud he would still be. He's a smart, kind generous young man.
I'm not looking forward to therapy as I know it will only be getting harder. But! What doesn't kill me .....
I'm ready to get back to normal life!
Fortunately I'm still at the guest suite so I hope I didn't infect the rest of the family. I've invited Braeden over to spend the night on Weds and Thurs nights. His Mom has those days off so she can hang with him during the day and share him with me overnight.
I can't believe he will be turning FIVE! I still remember Poppa carrying him around in the crook of his arm, proud as punch. And proud he would still be. He's a smart, kind generous young man.
I'm not looking forward to therapy as I know it will only be getting harder. But! What doesn't kill me .....
I'm ready to get back to normal life!
Friday, October 2, 2015
FALLING APART AT MY SEAM
This morning 30 staples were removed from the surgical site on my knee. They were replaced by dissolvable paper tape stitches ... and I can now take a full on shower!!! Ah, the little things in life.
My kidlet dropped me off before she had to go to work. Based on previous experience, I suggested she NOT stay and I would get my first Portland Uber ride. I had xrays (everything is exactly where he put things), staples removed (I made her count them ... thirty!), paper stitches applied and surgeon came in to do range of motion (EXCELLENT according to him). Two more weeks of compression stockings, at least on the left leg. Follow up appt in one month.
Ahhhhh. The light at the end of the tunnel is right here. No oxycodone for the past 36 hours (although he suggested one on my way home). Therapy gets more intense every visit and there are 8 more visits. Yesterday I used a cane instead of the walker but I do feel more steady using the walker for any long distances.
My reward for this visit? Uber! He arrived in a spotless Honda minivan (same as mine), drove safely and was attentive (no texts or phone calls ... unlike cab drivers), used his turn signals every single time. He folded up my walker and put it in the back. It was well worth it for me. A bonus was his personality. Just the right amount of chatty.
How can such a small amount of activity EXHAUST me? Just finished my half sandwich, caught up on a bit of reading, checked the headlines and SKIMM ... and now for a nap!
My kidlet dropped me off before she had to go to work. Based on previous experience, I suggested she NOT stay and I would get my first Portland Uber ride. I had xrays (everything is exactly where he put things), staples removed (I made her count them ... thirty!), paper stitches applied and surgeon came in to do range of motion (EXCELLENT according to him). Two more weeks of compression stockings, at least on the left leg. Follow up appt in one month.
Ahhhhh. The light at the end of the tunnel is right here. No oxycodone for the past 36 hours (although he suggested one on my way home). Therapy gets more intense every visit and there are 8 more visits. Yesterday I used a cane instead of the walker but I do feel more steady using the walker for any long distances.
My reward for this visit? Uber! He arrived in a spotless Honda minivan (same as mine), drove safely and was attentive (no texts or phone calls ... unlike cab drivers), used his turn signals every single time. He folded up my walker and put it in the back. It was well worth it for me. A bonus was his personality. Just the right amount of chatty.
How can such a small amount of activity EXHAUST me? Just finished my half sandwich, caught up on a bit of reading, checked the headlines and SKIMM ... and now for a nap!
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