I Missed it

I wondered when it was. Just checked. It was a year ago last Friday.


"Bummer Dude"

I've come a long way, baby!

Read the comments, too.  Lovin' the community and the love I was shown.  Still do.  Thanks friends!

Weekend Away and....Walking!!

A few posts ago I hinted that Brandy arranged a girls' weekend away for me and two friends. He called my friend Juliann to arrange it (we stayed at her sister's cabin, thanks so much Jen!), and also talked with my friend Stacy to see if she could go. Then he just asked me, are you free on this and this day? I've got the kids covered. Wow, what a man I have!! We had a great time.Juliann thought we'd have to ask the neighbor to light a fire for us. Nah...firebug Carey to the rescue! I think I was quite the sight scooting around on my bum starting a bonfire. *smile*
Juliann was a great boat driver, and I was great and sitting and relaxing! It's quite a different experience to boat without kids. So relaxing. It was quite the challenge to get me in and out of the boat, however. Juliann prayed out loud every time! I think she was concerned I would end up in the lake. But, no worries, I made it.

On Facebook, Juliann wrote "advanced crutching" with this pic. The dock was slats, so I had to be quite careful where to put my crutches so they didn't slide through...or I would have been in the lake. But NOW!!! Yeah!!!! Today I got the go ahead to start walking in my boot!!! Hip hip hooray!!!! And the doc said in about 2 weeks I can even put on a shoe. A real shoe...can you imagine?

I've been going from walking, to crutches, to my scooter today. Walking isn't easy at this point. My ankle/leg isn't used to the pressure and it hurts a bit. My left calf is about 1 inch small than my right. It's amazing the muscle tone you can lose in 11 weeks. But I'm happy to say that already tonight it's better than this morning. Before you know it I'll be dancin'. *smile*

First Dentist Appointment

I'm happy to say that our kids first dentist appointment went very well!! It was a first for Svanna, Gabe, Summer and Jaden. They did SUPER. We have a pediatric dentist that we really like. All six kids (Tye and Sierra went, too, Shi goes to our family dentist)got to go in at the same time. Since Sierra and Tye are old hats at the dentist, the other 4 just trotted right in with them. They have them all in one room so they can see each other. Sierra even helped with Jaden. No crying. All was good!

Unfortunately work needs to be done. We were hopeful that it wouldn't, but knew realistically that it probably would. Neither Svanna, Gabe nor Summer ever brushed their teeth until they met us. For Svanna that's 8 years with no teeth brushing. She had a lot of tarter build-up. They couldn't get it all off. They'll keep working on it. But her gums are receding because of it. We're praying we got to it in time. They wrote her a scrip for a prescription mouth rinse that will help her gums.

Sierra and Tye walked out with no work to be done. Sierra does have a cavity but it's in a tooth that will fall out soon. Among the other four, I believe we have a total of 6 caps (4 will be minor root canals...ouch!), 4 cavities, and a plethora of sealants. But the good news is they did super!! I'm focusing on that. And of course, there's a McDonalds with a playland right around the corner, so Mom (and Dad, he came too!) endured some "fun" there for a while. They loved it.

Thanks for those that prayed for Svanna. She had a much better time at Bible School tonight!!! Yeah!!! We're so glad!

The Cast Comes Off!

I have it on good authority that my cast comes off tomorrow!! Woot! Woot!!

However...I don't know if it will STAY off. But I'm focusing on the positive.

This week has been going very well. I can put it down for longer periods of time with little to no swelling. Yeah!! I have been having some nerve pain in my toes and the lower part of my foot, but not nearly as bad as when I had the first boot.

(Just a side funny...the kids just came in and Summer told me that my van ate a butterfly. AKA: there's a dead butterfly in my grill. Gotta love it! Summer, that is!)

I know it's coming off cuz I have to go in early to get it off and then get xrays. Then I see the doctor and he decides the next plan of action, based on the xrays. What I hope is going to happen is I getting a walking boot. Which of course implies that I get to WALK on it. (Smile) All I've been told is 6-8 weeks no weight on it (in other words crutches or wheelchair) and then 6 or so weeks of a walking boot. Also told that 3-4 months after the original surgery I'll need another one to take the 2 long screws out. Don't know what that all will involve. Also is a safe assumption that there will be some physical therapy. I don't really know any specific details, but hope I will after tomorrow morning.

Let me explain via xrays. Hope you're not weirded out by seeing them, cuz it is kinda wierd to look at your bones.

Here's the xray they took of my ankle/foot area the night I broke it. The oval shows you the break. What you can't see from this view is that the break is not lined up. There was also a slight fracture in a bone in the back. If you look at the rectangle area, you'll see that that bone is not located where it is supposed to be. It's supposed to be right up against the other bone, with no space in between. They were 75% sure that when they put the plate in, my tendons/ligaments would pull that bone back into position. But I've always been a bit out of the ordinary! And they were too damaged to do their job.

This xray was taken about 2 weeks after surgery. There are 5 little screws along the plate that they intended to put in to stay in for my lifetime. The longer screws fusing the bones together are the ones that need to come out. At my last appointment I was told by the assisting surgeon that they may just taking everything out since they are going in anyway.


Doesn't it look like someone just drew some lines on the xray?

Prayers for fast recovery appreciated! Although, like I said before, I can definitely see the blessings God has provided through this. Praise the Lord for that!

I'm Ready

The past couple of nights a musing has been stuck in my head. Different ones, really. But then I decide I'm too tired to write them. And there they stay, rambling around in my head like a bouncing echo. Since it takes me at least an hour these days to fall asleep--no matter what time I retire--tonight I decided to write. My only qualms are a headache, and a sleeping hubby that I hope I don't rouse with the pitter patter of my computer keys.

I'm ready.

I'm ready to walk.

I can feel it.

Not just ready to do stuff. I've been ready for that now for weeks.

(oops, Brandy just opened his sleepy eyes at me).

But ready to walk.

Ready to put down the reclining part of the love seat recliner, and walk across the living room.

Not just because I'm cold and I want a blanket.

But just for the pure joy of walking. Yes, the JOY of walking. Walking across the living room. Walking a mile down the road. Walking...

I have to admit, God is teaching me a lot through this down time that has happened at a seemingly incredibly inopportune time. Since my poor hubby is trying to sleep, we'll surmise about all the things He's teaching me in another post. He's teaching me so much that at times I know I'll look back and be thankful that it happened. (Oof...did I really say that out loud?)

I pray I not only learn...but remember. That on those days where I'm not only walking, but running...I'll be keenly aware of the days I couldn't. I pray these lessons find a home in my long term memory.

Ps. 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."

Good Day

The last 24 hours, or at least a good portion of them, have been a really good day for me!

Last night I DROVE!! Just me and Bob, going down the road...

Can you believe it?

Shianne came home with a new softball uniform. Shorts. Yes, apparently shorts with ball socks are the in thing for softball.

But what about sliding?!?!

She came home with a new uniform saying she needed a "slider."

This inexperienced Mamma didn't even know what that was. But Kaitlin did. Although Kaitlin thought at their age a slider (which is like, 12 inches long) won't help much. It only helps if you're sliding the absolutely correct way. Alrighty then.

Anyway...off topic.

My friend, Stacy, said she'd pick one up for us, and then Brandy would drive over there after the kids were in bed to pick it up.

During supper...I got a wild hair.

Maybe I could go!

Tye was worried about me. Little sweetie. What if I crashed? We reassured him that the reason I couldn't drive was that my foot might hurt. Not that I couldn't drive anymore. But still...I called him when I got there. (smile) Brandy and I decided mental health preceded pain at this point. Mamma needed to get out.

So I went by myself to Stacy's. The drive was amazing. If you've ever ridden a motorcycle (and enjoyed it), think of the first ride of the year. The air feels wonderful (I put down the window part of the time), the grass is greener, it's so refreshing. ahhhh...

Had a great time chatting with my friend, too.

Then today...well, didn't start off so good. And yes, I did suffer a tiny bit through the night because of my excursion, but not too bad. The not so good part? I missed that Svanna and Sierra had a game at 8:30. Thought of it about 9:10. Shoot.

Then, the funniest...or maybe not so funny thing. Those with kids (or dare I say husbands? not mine of course) can relate. When your child is sick, I mean REALLY sick, they are quiet, and even sweet. Not that we remotely want them to stay that way. But you know once the whining starts...they're getting better!

That's the way I was today. Not whining out loud, mind you. But inside. Oh, and God and I had a chat about how sick of it I was/am. Not that He didn't know already. I guess I got a taste of "normal" life and wanted more. And told Him so.

But...I did manage to do some, let's say, BF (before fall) things with the kids from my wheelchair today. We did "All about Today," a velcro chart where we talk about today's date, season, weather, etc. And then later we did Zoo-Phonics, where we use large flash cards that have animals/letters and we review the letter sounds. The kids really enjoyed it today.

And...later in the afternoon Kaitlin took me and the kids to Shi's ball game. It was great to be outside and talk to other adults. Even if I was in my wheelchair, and they in the bleachers. Aside from a sore ankle, I'm sure I had the more comfy seat. And, I had Kaitlin watching the kids most of the time (they would play at the park right next door to the field and sometimes run up to me) so I could actually concentrate on the game. Unfortunately our team lost by one, but they played well.

Then, since I had no plans for supper (plan ahead? who, me?) we drove through Pizza Ranch for chicken and pizza. Kaitlin even had a coupon. The kiddos put the blanket on the carpet and we had pizza and a movie night. I even watched till just now when my foot was getting uncomfortable enough to take a pain pill. The first one of the day, though! Now I'm "chatting" with you in bed.

Good Day!! Thanks, Lord, for blessing me even though I was whining...

Slow but Steady

That's how things are going. Actually, remarkably well. But it feels slow while I'm laying here.

I never expected to still be laying down in bed quite so much. But yet I got to go to a tball game today!! Yeah!! (pictures later)

If I'm laying down, or lounging on the couch, or in the wheelchair with my foot up, things go pretty well. But on my crutches, not as good.

Just now I thought I'd test the waters a bit. I can feel my ankle/foot swell when I'm up on crutches, but I have to get used to it sometime. Maybe? I don't know how that works. So...we're down to 3 meals a week from church (they offered to still do everyday, which they've been doing pretty much since home from the hospital...can you believe it?!? Wow, so wonderful. I said we could handle a few meals on our own) and Kaitlin is making fish and rice under my "direction." I thought, surely I can make the tarter sauce. Handed the ingredients from the fridge to Svanna to put on the counter. And I threw it together.

Now, mind you, I'd already been hanging out in the kitchen for about 10 minutes eating a little something to settle my stomach. When I went to the dance recital and today to the ball game, for some reason I get a little nauseous off and on after that.

So, I'm making tarter sauce...and Kaitlin and I are watching my toes turn purple. (sigh)

So I'm in bed again.

I seriously might have Brandy bring the wheelchair in from the garage tomorrow. It doesn't seem to need to be above my heart all the time now to keep from swelling, but it doesn't like to be DOWN apparently.

But progress is progress. And...tomorrow will be 3 weeks until I have my next Dr's appointment, and praying I get the cast off and get a walking boot. Yeah!

A Cast

You won't believe this, but I'm singing the praises of a cast! Yeah!

Monday night was a good night, I believe I posted about that Tuesday. Thought it was well and good. By Tuesday eve. I was having a LOT of pain again. Not in my ankle, but in my toes. In fact, it felt like my bandage was tangled between my toes. I "knew" it wasn't, but wanted Brandy to look in my cam boot and make sure. I was right, the bandage wasn't up nearly that high. Anyway, he lightly touched the tips of my toes, I mean, like a feather touch. Sent me through the roof!! So painful! Like a thousand little needles!

So we took my foot out of the boot again to look at it. No bandages were too tight.

Again, I had a really good night. And again, by the next morning, it was really starting to hurt again. I decided the problem was with the cam boot. It must have been putting pressure on nerves. Because just by having my foot out of it for awhile, I found some relief.

After I called, the doctor got me in Wednesday. I figured they'd get me another cam boot. Maybe a different type. My wonderful hubby left work to take me...even though he was swamped. First, xrays. I got to see all the hardware in my foot. Pretty amazing, really. Then to see the doctor. Everything looked good. Stitches came out. The incision, while longer than I thought it would be, looked really good, too.

Then the doc said he'd like to try a cast because he was fairly certain that the boot was causing the pain. A cast, while it has drawbacks, would be custom fit for me.

The nurse came in and slightly tried to talk me out of a cast. "So you're getting a cast? I wouldn't get a cast."

But I decided to trust the dr and try it.

Gabe and Tye were with us (the rest of the kids were at the ballpark with Kaitlin) and as we sat in the casting room, we looked at colors. The boys thought I should go with John Deere green. While I am a John Deere fan...uhm...no. I went with purple.

Not a half hour after the cast went on...I was feeling relief. By about 2 hours after, my toes were almost normal. Praise the Lord! My ankle felt better, too. More relaxed, like it was happy to have more support than the boot gave.

So, so far, 2 days into it, even though before this everyone said...oh, you're so lucky to have a boot and not a cast...I'm singing the praises of a cast! It's easier for me to get around, I've been able to cut down on my meds, and oh the joys of less pain. Yes, I have pain once in a while, but it's so much better.

Yeah!

Here we are, outside the hospital (it was pretty sunny!). Me and my helpers! They offered me a wheelchair when I first walked into the building, but I thought I needed the exercise with my crutches. After going to xray, and then here and there. I was tired! I graciously accepted the offer for the chair to leave!

We also got a scrip for a wheelchair (to make it easier to attend the dance recital tomorrow night...can't miss that! so excited I'm going! and other odds and ends) and for a handicap thing to hang from the mirror in whatever vehicle we're driving. So if you see "Bob" with a handicap sign, you know for sure it's me! ha! Oh, that reminds me. As soon as the swelling lessons, and I can keep it down for periods of time...I can drive!! Wow!! Maybe sometime next week? (smile) Good thing I'm "right-footed!" Sorry, inside joke! Broke my left ankle...anyway...

Still having a hard time around the house. Kaitlin is still here full time. I'm thinking I might use the wheelchair on occasion in the house too. Crutches leave me with only one foot and no hands. It's hard to do anything but get from one sitting spot to another. I'm anxious to see what next week brings!