TURNING THE CORNER

Yesterday I felt my own self return.  It honestly felt like a miracle.  FINALLY!

Pain is manageable (almost non existent) and my personality is making a comeback.  For the first time in almost two weeks, I put on makeup AND had a social evening including dinner with two gal pals.  Staying in the Guest Suite for a week or so longer will help me build a great foundation.  I can get up every hour and walk about the apartment.  Do my exercises whenever and wherever I want.  Hopefully I'll be back to regular old Gramma when I return to the condo.

Physical Therapist says I have a really great range of motion already and when the staples come out on Friday, things will move along even quicker.  Pretty sure I'll switch over to the cane for 90% of things.  Only use the walker for longer journeys.

I want to give special thank you for EVERY one who has encouraged me during this journey.  My sister, my sister in law and several cousins.  Good friends and fellow bloggers ... everyone who has been through this and shared their own trek.  Every word you gave me was an inspiration.

ONWARD!

31 YEARS AGO TODAY

On this day, thirty-one years ago, I married Mr. Ralph in Newport, Oregon at sunset.  My sister and his son were witnesses.  We wore jeans.  And could only afford to stay one night.  He was 18 years older than me and I could envision everyone's eyes rolling while thinking "this will never last."  Neither set of parents met the new inlaw until after the marriage.

Maybe it shouldn't have.  But it did.  Each of us had been married before.  His children were in high school and college.  None for me and by marrying someone older whose family was raised, I would miss out on having children.

Lo and behold, we did have our little miracle baby girl.  Somehow, things worked out for the better, with many bumps along the way.  Mr. Ralph was an only child and his Dad died the year before we married.  Hazel lived in Vincennes, Indiana as a happily independent woman and we got along beyond expectation.  She flew out for a visit at least once a year, and we went her direction about the same.  I hope I grow up to be like her!  Strong, smart and always learning.

My parents were smitten with Mr. Ralph.  He was charming even to them ... sending them flowers on MY birthday.  His financial support helped them enjoy their remaining years and he encouraged Kate and I to spend time with them in Columbus, Ohio in the summer each year.

When I wrote the headline it struck me that thirty one years is a LONG time!  Yet it did not seem like it.  It was a great, fun, challenging journey of compromise ... and he filled it with romance.

I sure do miss this guy.

PROGRESS, SLOW BUT SURE

OK.  I think I have this pain management thing under control.

I don't have to be a brave, stoic widow lady, I can be dependent on some chemical help for a month or two.  Yesterday, I took oxy and tylenol every four hours.  By evening, the medicine had caught up to the pain so it was easier to get in my exercise.  Last night, I even stretched it to five hours once.

(Geez ... the title to this says Level I ... ugh!  

I wonder how high the levels go?)

And I slept so great!  Part of that could be the chilly evenings.  When the alarm said 7:30am I took a potty break and the pain relief and thought I would just snuggle down for another hour.  THREE HOURS later I had to make myself get up!  The thermostat said 52 degrees.  Indoors!  I broke down and turned on the heat, made some hot coffee and am icing the knee.

On a more fun note, the guest suite here at the condos is in a great location for people watching.  The weather is sunny and crisp and lots of folks are out and about.  My besties were all very busy this weekend so I nominated myself Gladys Kravitz on their behalf.

My suite is at the back of our Clubhouse and I have to say I'm impressed with how often people come and go from there!  We have free wifi as well as a beautiful sitting area with a big screen TV.  Yesterday I had it reserved for Happy Hour for my Village People (and I couldn't even expend the energy to shower, dress and smile). Fortunately my friend Carrie had partnered up with me for a few other events held here so she figured it all out.  (The BAD news ... only five people showed up).

My little family visited twice yesterday, once with the Dadda and once with the Momma.  Bringing treats as well.  Picking up my dirty laundry and dishes on their way out.  While I hate being helpless, they have done above and beyond without any begrudging.  I love them immensely for that.  I was feeling so poorly that one "sigh" at a request would have brought me to tears!  

I move back to the condo on Wednesday.  Hopefully the weather will continue to cooperate so I can walk outside several times a day.  I can roll my laptop over to the Clubhouse and intersperse my online living and my physical therapy.

Thanks for listening to all the whining!  "They" keep saying the first two weeks are the toughest!

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Oh these smooth talking handsome athletic young people.

Yes, that slick talking youngster got me to return yesterday afternoon.  I almost called to cancel as my back hurt as bad as my knee.  Damn that kid of mine, she said just go!  They know how to work with all kinds of pain, Mom.  And he knew EXACTLY how to make it easier to get in a full workout.  Now I have TEN daily exercises, plus walking.  I do think I will schedule future visits with at least two days in between.

I also called the surgeon's office for additional oxycodone ... to last until my appointment next Thursday.  I know oxy is highly addictive but surely there is something that is effective for the pain but stronger than Tylenol.  I'll do some homework before that appointment.

My brain just wants to sleep to skip the pain so I apologize for the briefness of these blogs!  Ice and a nap call my name!  Then a walk about!

FIRST VISITORS!

Today I finally felt like I could have a conversation so when my Weight Watcher buddies asked if they could bring me coffee ... I said YES!  They stayed just 20 minutes and despite no shower or makeup in a week they think I look just great!

It's about 10am right now with my next physical therapy session at 2pm.  I'm going to rest up and take a shower!!  Whoo hoo the excitement over here.  The kids brought over easy to fix breakfast and lunch foods ... including my beloved popcorn popper!  

My back is bothering me now so I'm not sure how PT will go today.  I also called the surgeon's office for another week of pain medication.  After a long conversation, me feeling like a wimp ... she said most people call for reinforcements after a few days.  She gave me lots of good information on how to decide when to postpone dosage to every four hours, then five and when I get to 8 hours, I can do one pill every three hours, then four, etc.

This little apartment has a lot more room for me to simply walk around.  After my shower, I'll ask for my sweatshirt and my robe and maybe walk outdoors since the weather is sunny and 70.

Now ... to look up Arthur Murray studios ...

SLOWLY .... but surely

Yesterday was physical therapy.  Today is PAINFUL!  Not unbearable but definitely noticeably more than the day before.

I also moved to our on site guest suite for a week of healing.  Thank goodness the kidults are taking great care of me.  Friends and neighbors are bringing food and soup and sweet things which is a big help for Jesse/Kate, and delicious for me.I'm kinda mad that I have not lost my appetite ...

The family went to get me breakfast items that I can do myself.  We are going to get Braeden to bring me a brown bag lunch every day (he will be SOOO proud to do it all by himself)  Although I'm really not very good company when I hurt.  This unit is as large as a two bedroom apartment with a huge walk in closet.  So I can do lots of walking and getting up and down.  A little kitchenette with microwave and half size fridge.  

Now my back is bothering me after yesterday's session.  UGH!  He's all smiles and youthful good looks yet I think I will really hate him at the end of six weeks of torture.

Wish me luck!

WHERE DID SATURDAY GO?

I'm guessing I just slept the day away.  Saltines and ginger ale.  Naps.  And Oxy-whatever it is called.

The good news is that I am writing everything down.  I set my iphone alarm for every three hours at night.  I see a paper showing when I took meds on Sat and started one for today, Sunday!  Otherwise, I don't think I would have a clue.

No appetite, that's for sure.  Now for the pain to subside so I can start walking!