It's Spring and I Have Sprung!!

March 20th was a Big Day!

It was Amber's Birthday!  About that:  Mark and I made a big calendar with EVERYBODY'S birthdays listed.  It was to help get cards out to everyone this year...for the first time.  It is March and I have given ONE card, to Mama and Pop, on the day in between their birthdays.  So, the calendar is a sad reminder that even with a reminder calendar, you may not receive a birthday greeting from us, again this year.  We have remembered to check the calendar ON the day or the day AFTER your big event.  Yes, we are still not so good at this...after all these years.

Amber's birthday was more important to me than it being the first day of Spring.  That happened on March 20th, also.  That part came and went without much fanfare for us.  It still came, and it is Spring!

My big news, locally, and personally, was that I had my six week, post surgery, check up.  I can hardly believe that six weeks have gone by already!!  I have been working hard here at home to do all of my exercises twice a day...well, maybe not twice a day on the weekends, but still twice in the weekend.  I have gone to all of my physical therapy appointments (on those days, I only did exercises once at home).

I had one little set back a couple of weeks ago when I did some exercise wrong (at home) and strained my back.  What??  I have lower back problems, anyway, so this was no surprise, but disappointing since I was not allowed to do my straight leg lifts for several days after that.  I had  JUST gotten to where I could do 15 straight leg lifts without stopping...then I had to stop altogether!  Oh well.  The therapists told me not to be discouraged:  they see things like this all the time.  A little glitch, not a major set-back.  OK.

So, March 20th came.  I saw Dr. McMath's physician's assistant, Amanda.  She checked me out, told me my X-rays look great (everything is right where it is supposed to be and healing nicely), and then...drum roll, please!  Had me walk without my walker!!!  It was only a few steps and it was not pretty, but it was a start!  I had taken my cane in case the walker was really going to leave me, but I wasn't quite ready to be without assistance.  I have to return the walker to Primrose, and the other walker to Robert Church, but the cane is mine.

I left Amanda and went to physical therapy a very happy camper.  I mean walker!  It was convenient to use the walker because I had to take it with me, but once in therapy, they put it aside and had me walk with or without my cane...which ever made me more comfortable.  I went without for most of therapy...to get my feet wet, so to speak, with help right there.  Wasn't that nice of the physical therapy scheduler to plan my therapy right after I was released from my walker?

Physical therapy went very well.  I got through all of my exercises without incident, and was able to do TEN straight leg lifts without stopping.  Not without pain or struggle, but without stopping, and no back pain.

It was a great day.  Thank you for sharing, Amber, and Spring!

But, wait!  There's more good news!!

When Mark got home from soccer that night, he drove me over to the Liberty Benton High School parking lot for a driving test!  His driving test, not the bureau of motor vehicles'.  He gave me an "A" which means that he will let me drive on my own!  The rules from the doctor/physical therapy are that as long as I'm off my narcotics (pain killer) and can handle the necessary response time, I can drive.  Check and Check.  :)

That all brings me to today.  I will be driving to Primrose for the first time to help the residents celebrate the March birthdays.  I baked and iced brownies and we will make brownie sundaes for all who want them!  I'm pretty excited and I think Mama and Pop are, as well.  I don't know if I'm more excited to be driving again, or to eat frosted brownie sundaes!  :)

Before I close for today, I want you to know that my walking is improving.  It is hard to walk without a limp.  I have some weakness to overcome...and a little fear:  will my new parts really hold me unassisted by the walker?  So far, so good.  However, around the house, I am cane free with the exception of first thing in the morning when I am a little weak, sore and stiff from sleep.  After my morning shower, I'm good to go without the cane.  I will take it to the store with me, and keep it in the car, just in case I feel insecure about a situation.  I move slowly, and can't adjust my direction quickly, yet.  It will come (and has nothing to do with my driving, I promise)!

I am pleased with the results of this adventure.

For now, thanks for reading.

Weesah HOOOOMMMME!!!!!!!

Today's title, "Weesah HOOOOMMMME!!!!!!!" is a favorite line from one of the Star Wars movies.  I use it often after a trip or a long day, when I'm glad to be back home and will be sleeping in my own bed again.

Friday, February 8, 2013, began as every other day of my hospital stay:  one last early moring stick for my blood (I hope I get to take some home with me...they decided not to do a blood transfusion for my low iron which kept me hooked up to the IV my entire stay); and an early morning Amanda visit during which she changed my dressing.  Everything is looking good.  Dr. McMath came a little later and said that today I would be going home!  I like that doctor!!  :)  He makes good things happen.

I never saw a respiratory therapist again.  Either I was doing great and they didn't need to watch me breathe anymore, or they forgot about me.  I kept practicing, anyway...breathing that is...into the spirometer.

Another good breakfast was sent from the kitchen.  This, too, I could get used to:  someone serving meals 3 times each day, and cleaning it up.

Today, "Tammy from Physical Therapy" came and she brought "Mitch from Occupational Therapy" with her.  I think Mitch was observing Tammy, because he really didn't do much with me today except ask if I had any questions for him.  He was a pretty good teacher, even though he's pretty new at this.  Tammy took me through the torture paces for the last time.  Even though I didn't do any better than yesterday, she was still very encouraging.  My leg was still like lead:  I couldn't swing it by myself or lift it.  Maybe tomorrow.  And maybe elephants will fly tomorrow, too!  :)

Mark decided that he would eat lunch with me before taking me home, so when he arrived, I ordered lunch for both of us and we had a nice meal and visit together.  Then, he began taking things to the car for me (flowers, cards, suitcase, etc) while I got the "going-home" instructions from the nurse.  She was very thorough and very nice, answering all of my questions, and laughing with me a few times.

Then, is was time to go.  This is the part of the hospital stay that is always bitter-sweet for me.  I want to go home.  I want all of the hospital staff to come with me...because they know what to do, just in case...  But, they aren't coming with me.  This was my sixth hospital stay long enough to know that I don't know everything I want to know before being on my own, even with help.  I think I can speak with some authority on my mixed emotions.

Today will be just Mark and me to figure things out.  Another TeamPagano adventure.  Well, we like adventure, so here we go...

Thanks for reading.

P.S.  I realize that the time frame for my blog is so far off at this point.  No one should believe that my 4 days at the hospital spread out over 4 weeks.  I'm just easily side-tracked.  It took me a month to describe 4 life-changing days.  Consider the source, and love me, anyway, OK?  Thank you.