Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Rest and Recover...... Monday and Tuesday

There are so many things to do and remember in recovery that it is absolutely exhausting!
In addition to exercises and leg pumps and ice wraps and mechanical knee presses.....


I must wear compression hose for the next 6 weeks.
I ordered these cute ones that arrived Monday, in addition to a package of six pair of stockings from white to beige to black.

Being placed on the 'back burner' so to speak, is not easy.
I managed my pain well on Monday by just taking Tylenol, but by Monday night I needed a pain pill....and possibly an attitude adjustment! God and I had a quiet talk and we both agreed that Louis Dean deserves to be treated with respect and kindness. I did my best and so did he.
When I am bothered or feeling overwhelmed - I just need to CLEAN something!
It's my therapy and never fails to work.
Except now is not a good time.

For months we have been getting notices about the Ford Fusion airbag recall.  Monday seemed like a good day to get that taken care of. Louis Dean dropped the car off and the dealership brought him home where he took the truck to the grocery store.

When he got back, he was rummaging around in his music room saying he had got me a little surprise.


It was a card and a really special one, at that!


It was perfect!
Louis Dean said there was only ONE card so he grabbed it up!
I am so blessed.
Messes can be cleaned up. It's the relationship that is so vitally important!

I cried uncle and took a pain pill and went to bed early.
I'm actually in bed more than I am out.

My pain level has been a manageable 3 but it kicked up to a hard 4 last night.
I was up at 3:00 AM icing my knee and finally went back to sleep at 4:00.
I knew today (Tuesday) was going to be a long day and the pain still had a firm grip on me when I got up so I took another pain medicine.

Just changing the sheets, starting the washer and doing some very general pick up wore me out.
I decided to take a nap before I had to start getting ready for Physical Therapy and my doctor appointment. Isn't it always the way - I was sleeping so WELL!! But I forced myself to get up and get in the shower. Funny how much energy and stamina it takes to shower these days!

My PT guy (Kirby) came and he was really proud of my progress
He knew I was going to see the doctor this afternoon and said that as soon as they call my name and I stand up - that they would be watching me as I walked to the door. Kirby wanted me to show off and walk really really well!




And I did!
I went to x-rays first.....


What a beautiful sight!

Then the bandage was removed and I asked to take a photo.


It was really quick so they could limit exposure to the air before putting a new one on.
Next week they will remove the staples.
The photo reminds me I had a major surgery and my knee WILL hurt for awhile.

I am more like six weeks post op than my actual 8 days.

I am so thankful to have this done!
Louis Dean brought me home and I went right to bed!
I just seem to be tired to the bone these days.

He has been cooking potato soup and - what started out yesterday in the green crock pot - turned into an even bigger pot this evening.


Keeping my tea glass full has kept him busy!


You can see things are in a bit of disarray but nothing that can't be cleaned up later.


And here I am tonight on my throne of pillows!
This is where I hold court these days!
I'll finish up tonight's journal entry before going out to the den to do the exercises using the stretcher machine.
We have been rewarding ourselves with home made banana splits when I get done!!
Now THAT is some good motivation!!

In other news......


Chandy is back in the hospital in Odessa,
She and the baby are both stable and she could see the baby waving its little arms around.
Precious.....precious.....precious....


22 comments:

  1. Linda, I have to say, I loved the card from LD... what a man. :):) With Ted's dr. appts, hospital stays and more appts...I get short with him (Nursing is demanding) I told him we both may be totally bald by tearing each other's hair out before this cancer battle is done, but we are going to get thru this. I am so proud of you getting this far and doing so well. Your leg looks hurtful, the xray looks slick and nice. Please hold yourself back and don't try to get going too soon. Praying for Chandy and the baby. Blessings to you and LD , hang tough. love you both, xoxo, Susie

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  2. Loved seeing your progress and pictures. Lovely compression socks!
    The card from Louis Dean...melt my heart!!!
    Potato soup....another one of our favorites.

    Continue to heal...wow, that is some stitch work...

    Love and hugs from the Villa

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  3. Louis Dean knows that you love him so very much. Pain makes us say and do things we wouldn’t otherwise. He knows that. That card...oh he’s still got it after all these years.

    You are doing so well. God is good. Take good care of you and rest...lots of healing comes with rest. ♥️♥️♥️

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  4. You are Doing so WELL! Your leg and the staples look so good, no sign of infection or anything! Staying in bed really debilitates one, and everything is so much harder to do. But you need to rest! Louis Dean's card is just the sweetest!!

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  5. I loved that card he got for you - what a sweet, sweet man. I know the knee is hard to recoup from - but you can do it.

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  6. I always marvel at recovery -- it seems that I won't get back (or better) from where I was and thankfully, every time (lots of recoveries) one day I realize I am so much better. Last year at this time I was wearing leg pumps, like the ones in the hospital, and recovering from hip replacement. No infection, but it was a sort of slow recovery. But blessedly that is history -- didn't think to take a photo -- and I'm up out and about. Prayers that you will be soon, too.

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  8. So sorry you can't use your cleaning therapy right now! Take care and heal well๐Ÿ’–

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  9. I know it's easy to lose patience when you cannot do for yourself, but your Louis Dean is a treasure even cooking for you He is to be commended as chief cook and dishwasher too. Things will wait until you're better and won't go any place.. Just try not to worry about it and rest. It's the only way you're going to get better and you want that to be as soon as possible.

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  10. You are doing well Linda. And yes, take a pain pill at night before you go to bed so you can rest. I love your bed tray...great for times like this. And God Bless Louis Dean. He is a keeper for sure. I think when we do not feel well we are all quick to snap back at those who are dearest to us because we feel the safest with them. I hope Chandy continues to do well.

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  11. only you could look glamorous from your bed. I am sending your photo to my friend who is wheelchair/bedbound and can't walk. this is what she needs so she can use her laptop. she is doing email on her phone and hates it... you go girl. and in 35 plus years I have never gotten a card from Bob. he did get ONE from me our first year. so sweet, LD and the card... prayers for Chandy and the baby

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  12. What a wonderful card!

    I know that because you're recovering so well, you think you should be further along! Seeing your leg and the staples still in was a good reminder, as you said, that you've had major surgery! Take your pain pills as needed. Remember they will not give them to you if they do not expect that you will need them! Also, rest is one of the most restorative things for our bodies, so take advantage of these days where resting is your JOB! (grin)

    You look great, I love your throne! Hold Court, girl!

    Prayers for Chandy and baby!

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  13. My Mom went through 2 knee surgeries several years apart. She has never regretted either but both took a while to heal. You are normally a very busy woman...it's probably very difficult to let yourself rest and heal as that is outside your wheelhouse. Best to do it though, life can only get better now that you've got a new knee!

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  14. That card!!!
    You have a real Prince there.
    Being the one on the receiving end is difficult but it shows how much you are truly loved.
    Stuff can be cleaned later....
    I understand that being your therapy but slowing down a bit will be better in the long run.
    Love your throne of pillows...
    You look "Simply Mahvelous...dear"
    Sue

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  15. Cute. I'm happy to see that you're knee is doing well post op! ๐Ÿ˜Š

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  16. I have fallen a bit behind in catching up on blogs, Linda, but I did some backtracking on yours and glad you are home. Friends of min have had the same surgery and told me it's sometimes an uphill struggle for awhile, but then things improve. You look like you will be winning that struggle, That card from Louis Dean was so sweet and thanks for sharing it. You are such a go-getter that being forced to rest must be hard and strange, but you should make sure to take the time to rest and heal.

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  17. You are both doing very well - in a few weeks you'll be as good as new. Kia kaha

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  18. Hi there girlfriend, so glad to see you felt good enough to stop in and comment! You are looking better each and every day!!--healing up great. Just don't rush it.......rest and do all those exercises and take your medicine and use ice, everything they told you to do. Thanks for the compliments--I did fall in love with the scarf and it's pretty colors! Take care!!

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  19. Just checking in to see how things are going. You are doing amazingly well. Why am I not surprised? Love that card! Smiling at you sitting 'on your throne and holding court'! Take care!

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  20. You are doing a great job recovering and it is a job!!!

    Pretty soon you will be back to your "regular" job. Being busy as a bee.

    Meantime, let's hope the "kitchen clean up fairy" will visit soon.

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  21. I LOVE your throne of pillows! You look so cute there. Oh gosh Linda, your surgery looks painful...I hope you recover well and quickly! xxxxx

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  22. A very sweet, thoughtful husband you have there, Linda, reading this is so helpful to me as we are on count down days.
    Sounds like you are progressing so well, sending loving thoughts and prayers today.
    Sue

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