The weather has been very wet and windy, so the garden has been pretty battered. The last few days we have seen some new flowers. The day lillies have begun to open and they are even better than last summer. The blooms are such a deep, intense burgundy color -- they are spectacular. I am enjoying them and hope that you will as well.
Yes, I did it! I cannot tell you how much fun it was to drive. It seems a bit silly, but having the ability to go somewhere if I would like is WONDERFUL!
I am very very careful and try to only drive to important things like my PT appointment. But, it makes me feel like an adult again. I guess it is another lesson - be grateful for the things, the abilities and the opportunities that you have.
Things continue to improve. On Friday I developed a new and thrilling issue - a drug rash. Yes, I am allergic to vicodin. I have this kind of nasty looking stuff on my neck, face, shoulders, back and chest. My last day on vicodin was Friday, so we are not sure what is keeping the rash from stopping. I just need to figure this out. It is not the most appealing thing to handle.
Relationships: my newest lesson. I have had to ask for help...often it seems lately. The most recent was to ask for a ride with a new colleague and friend. My friend grew up in OHIO, so she gets the concept of neighborly love...thank goodness. She is my ride to PT this week. I had to learn that you can ask for help from people. It is not something that I am ANY good at or have any desire to continue. I just need the help right now. So, I am learning that relationships are 'soft places to land' and that people understand. Another lesson learned on my summer vacation journey!! HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!!!
Today I feel well enough to try and make another post. I figured that many of you would think that I just purchased a new car...one that goes fast quickly - 0 to 70 mph!! Well, I did not...
The past weeks have been filled with so many life changing events. It seems that even at my 'old' age, there are so many lessons to learn or re-learn. Since the surgery, I have been learning the three lessons of -- humility, patience, and compassion.
Target is a great place -- when you have TWO FUNCTIONING LEGS. Otherwise, you get to pull a Grandpa VH and drive the electric buggy. Oh yeah... I am no Jeff Gordon, but I did alright. It seems that when a person is in that buggy, people are highly intrigued by the "SICK PERSON IN THE BUGGY"!! Children stare, point and laugh. Parents tell their children in a loud whisper, "don't stare"!!! TOO LATE MOM!!! Adults try to pull out in front of you and rush past as though they have some sort of death wish because the darn cart has NO BRACES. Oh yeah...getting pointed and stared at has made me learn humility.
How does one carry things while on crutches? Clearly that question is something I have been working to solve. My scientist brain has figured out the simple things...use your pocket for some stuff. But big or heavy things...not as easy. I walked around with the telephone and a cold bottled water in my wasteband...right up to the point where the water slipped down into my pants, freezing my leg and making me need to 'rush to the bathroom'...see trying to pee is another event in the GIMP OLYMPICS!!! My brain certainly knows what I want to do...my body is still working on getting it done. Patience is the time between the brain and the body...
Compassion seems to be a limited commodity. Remember the stares and the bolting out in front of the buggy driving invalid? Yes, people are typically pretty jerky. Honestly, they don't really care if you look like you are struggling or stuck or just plain tired. Nope...people just don't have the level of compassion for others that we used to have in the past. I can say that my rushed life with its frequent lack of compassion for strangers needs to change. People are not invisible, especially those in need. A small gesture of caring certainly goes a long way. I learned that from an elderly gentleman who helped me with the buggy in Target...when the battery died and Carrie was getting one thing while I got another. OH YEAH... stranded. Did I mention that she was carrying the crutches too??? Nice... well the older gentleman at least stopped and asked if I needed help. Got a Target employee or no sorry TWO different employees because the first one 'did not work with the buggies'!!! Yes, I will not look at people the same anymore. The invisible are becoming visible and my Mid-western compassion will return!!!
The surgery went well, with the new ACL in place. The doc was also able to keep the majority of the meniscus - that is a very good thing.
Well, the day is finally here. I am now in the "you can't eat anything or drink anything stage". It should be a real treat, as my surgery is not until 11:30am. I hope that I don't get to the stage where I truly understand cotton mouth. I bought gum - sorry Tom and Dan!!! :-)
