Recovering

Here it is almost a month since I last posted. I got good news from the doc on Monday. I can begin PT in earnest now. Did I mention before that a bone in my arm fractured with the surgery? I have a metal plate to take care of the problem, but had to wait until now to make sure everything was mending well. My scar is longer than expected but Art has been massaging it and says he thinks it will pretty much fade away. It's been a longer haul than I thought to have had. My friend Mary Ann had pretty much the same thing happen with her hip replacement. It is so rare--strange to have two of us, different doctors, different hospitals, a week apart with our surgery have the same complication! The other day I had a mental image of how shocking it must be for a doctor to be in process with a surgery and have that happen. Glad he is very experienced and could solve it while I was still under anesthetic. Speaking of which, I was so out of it that I temporarily forgot what the doctor and Art told me the evening after my surgery. I woke the next morning thinking that it was over, I didn't have much pain and at least I hadn't had happen what happened to Mary Ann. Duh! A few seconds later, I said to myself, 'Wait a minute! It did happen to me, too!' Also, I got testy with Art because he kept asking me if I wanted more jello or pudding. I told him I couldn't make any decisions. Crazy what anesthetic does to you! Anyway, Art and I have worked hard (and carefully) with range of motion and now I can add 4 more exercises. The PT folks are professional and kind. I get to decide when enough is enough so pain is not too bad. After we get good range then I will work on the muscles. Another opportunity to practice the process of becoming more patient. Not what I'd planned, but there it is.

The Process Continues...

Thanks to my blogging friends I got several good laughs reading your posts! I'm doing fine with recovery but the last couple of days have slipped into a bluesy time. I think it has to do with having to wait a couple extra weeks before beginning PT. And why do folks need to tell you horror stories when you already know it isn't easy? Guess I might better ask myself why am I letting my focus stay on the worst outcomes? I've done PT before. Have met good people. I am doing well with hand and forearm exercises. BTW: I love my google tip for setting up a recliner station the first two weeks. Even sleeping there. It felt very comfortable and safe. It helped that we bought a new Lazy-boy which fit me perfectly. Maybe it will be a good thing to try google again on tips for getting through the PT!!! Love the suggestion from Marilee to take photos with me as a reminder of why I am doing it. Today it is sunny. Maybe a short excursion or something?

Again?

Tomorrow I go into St. Mark's hospital again, this time for left shoulder surgery. I feel pretty calm about it. Last Thursday I was holding my granddaughter--the littlest one. She was sleeping against my shoulder. When I looked down at her, I didn't want to leave because I knew that the next time I held her a sling (and probably some soreness at the very least) would come between us. I believe we have a bond even now. I have been blessed to have time with her very early on, thanks to her parents requests. Lots of things are giving me motivation to work hard at the recovery process, not the least of which is a beautiful little girl. Can't wait to put both my arms around her again.

Our New Little Blessing

Birth is the sudden opening of a window, through which you look out upon a stupendous prospect. For what has happened? A miracle. You have exchanged nothing for the possibility of everything.

~William MacNeile Dixon

She's here!

At BYU Women's Conference

She's getting very close to the big day! Two + months later, you still look beautiful!

The Freedom to...

If you'd like, check out this video on Official LDS Site. I have a link to that site down on the sidebar called "Roving the Internet". I liked the video a lot.