Fuzzy Brain

Again today I am noticing that my thought process feels somewhat like my thigh--sort of bandaged when it is not and flickering with nervous energy then lethargy (or numbness) settles in again. I feel it particularly when there is a decision to be made. I think anesthetic must be exaggerating a tendency that is already somewhat habitual. Decisions. I can think of 25 different possibilities for any given problem. It makes settling on one idea feel impossible. I know it's not true but with this habit, I think I need help. Or the calmness that comes when I pray in a serious way. A good thing to do on a Sunday, right? Or any other day, for that matter!

Where did the summer go?

Where to begin...my hip surgery was incredibly successful! The recovery has been fast, the pain minimal, our hospital, rehab and home care people have been easy to work with and I now walk without walker or cane--for the most part. (Cane is a security thing in case I walk further than I thought and still have to get back home!) At my visit to the Dr. he said the x-ray indicates that the hip is "perfect" and I have no reason to think otherwise. We have an excellent Dr. and love his nurse, Portia. All in all, I had a good experience. I went to church last Sunday--Art had a cold so he stayed home. I did notice that I had a slightly harder time following lessons and talks. Just not as alert as usual, which I attribute to the residual effects of anesthetic. Now it's time to continue to walk and use stationary bike, slowly building up to more and more time. I don't know if you have seen the TV ad with the coach of Duke University. The particular brand of prosthetics he touts is the same brand used for Art and I. So I rather like watching the ad. For some time, Art has wanted to replace our driveway and extend it over to the fence so that we could have the cars side by side rather than rearranging them all the time. We just had it done last week. Midvale City will put in sidewalk and gutter for us in October, although we will pay half of the cost. Our tomatoes and squash planted for us by our next-door neighbors are doing well. We both cried when we saw that someone had put them in for us, as early in the summer we could not have done it for ourselves. Good neighbors are invaluable! I don't know why I haven't updated before now. Somehow, the day to day things were just hard enough that I didn't have the inclination to add one more thing, I guess. Anyway it's good to be back--and even on a new computer!

Today

I'm going to post a "today" message although Marilee posted it as another today a few days ago. As you will see, I was very happy to receive the notice of an update on Evelyn's blog. "Today is Evelyn's 1 month birthday. She has grown quite a bit in this time. As reported to us yesterday, she weighs 1 lb and 11 oz and she eats 1.5 oz a day. Her digestive system is working great, her heart is strong, her brain is looking good and her lungs are beginning to heal. We would like to take this time to thank you for all your thoughts, prayers and deeds...comments on this carepage give us strength and help remind us we are not doing this for ourselves and Evelyn alone. We are also doing this for you, her friends and family." The miracle continues. On this, my today, I'm finishing up items on the list and will be at St. Mark's hospital at 11:00 this morning. Mostly I am feeling calm. especially after a blessing given to me yesterday afternoon when I was surrounded by Art and our two sons. It was a reassurance of love and a verification that this day will bring about a good result. After going 2 weeks without Aleve-type pills and looking one more time at my X-ray (my hip reminded me of scrambled eggs, but maybe that's because we had them for breakfast at a restaurant recently) I'm more than ready. The ball and joint do look distorted and scrambled! Soon we will be off to the hospital. I carry with me your love, prayers and blessings. Art and Tracy have the hardest part--waiting around a few hours, fully conscious. I guess my job is to be there and sleep through it. It will probably be a week or two until I get back to this blog. In the meantime, I send love your way, too.

Graduation

I graduated from hand therapy! My progress has been steady and healing will continue on. I am to keep doing all my hand and wrist exercises until the 12th. When I am back home after hip surgery I can switch to 3 times a week for a month. I do have to make one more appointment with Dr. Heiden. Finally the plan is to live life, doing normal everyday activities. That should complete the process. What a process it has been, all due to the slip of a paring knife!

Countdown or (better yet) One Day at a Time

This morning Heather asked me how I was feeling about my upcoming surgery to replace my left hip. Mostly I am attempting to stay in the current day. Right now, Art is helping me in my room. I have a new laptop. (Art is using the Toshiba. I think it buys him time to keep looking around for that computer with all the features he wants, so he is taking over my "old" one.) The guys are moving my desk from one room to this one. It is quite an undertaking but satisfying. I'm in more of a consultant mode. The prep for surgery has included a hold on taking Aleve-type medication. Now I know just how much pain those four pills a day were masking. It's hard to get anything done that requires being up and yet there is stiffness and pain when I sit down too long. This morning I made a vow to quit whining (again) so that's all I'm going to say. Anyway, the countdown, if I admit it is going on, is 5 days until the day(August 12). Tracy is taking the week off work as he did when Art had his operation. He's really a good cook and supportive so Art has a lot of help. I'm sure others will step up as they can, to lend love and support. Bless them! And the Olympics will be on. Hope I can be alert enough to enjoy the TV coverage!

At Sara's Wedding

I love this picture of Cindy and her granddaughter, taken a couple of years ago. She, along with Sandy, Julie and Kristi are my other sisters through Marilee's mom, Winnie. We are all pulling for Evelyn!

Stonehenge

When I was at hand therapy a couple of weeks ago and was having the hand warmed for 20 minutes, I saw a National Geographic magazine with the cover story featuring Stonehenge. For the next couple of times, they brought it back to me so I could finish the article. As well as being a distraction, the article was fascinating as it presented this theory and that regarding the construction and significance of this "national treasure". Actually, I think it is considered to be one of the treasures of the world. The article also reminded me of this day when Alice, Debbie and I were actually in the very place. It still amazes me to have been there. This photo of Alice and I was on a sidewalk which circles Stonehenge. This is as close as tourists are allowed. Stonehenge is not only a world treasure, it is a treasured memory for me.