My Week

Nicer Weather than predicted.

Tuesday evening I went to a discussion on back surgery at Memorial Hospital's education center at 6 PM by Dr Van Fleet.  He's one of the other back surgeons.   I learned a lot of new terms and saw what the pictures looked like. I had time to kill between this and the Honor Flight so I filled the tank and stopped by Sean for 1/2 hr.  Moe stepped on his bare foot with his claw.  There was a man next to me in the crowd that was at the same discussion.
 Here I am with Les Morgan for our traditional honor flight selfie.

Wednesday I walked Sophie down to see her boyfriend, Mica. I went to a PGR mission at Bisch Funeral Home and got to see my old buddy from Troy, Fat Fred.  Then at 4PM I had to watch the Ellen show because our reenactors were on.

https://youtu.be/frSv7j2IK9o

Then I went to the Interveterans council meeting in the evening.  I updated the website.

I found a buyer for my 250 Yamaha. He's a recently separated marine just out service a week ago and looking for cheap transportation to work in Virden. He made down payment and will make weekly payments. I gave him helmet, cover, tank bag and trickle.

I've cut back on house cleaning to every 2 weeks.  So this week was an no go.

I watched "Annie with and E".  It's a remake of Ann of Green Gables.

Saturday I went to the Lincoln Home to watch the 33d Volunteer Band play. 

Here I am at the Lincoln Home with the sun in my eyes.  Thank heavens for the slat bonnet to shade my eyes.

I wore my new corset for the first time.

Monday I went to the Memorial Day ceremony on the Chatham Square.  I brought our AMVETS wreath since I didn't have to be part of the American Legion color guard this soon after surgery.
Here I am with Gordon Reichert who held the Navy flag among the service flags with the color guard.  I shared the AMVETS wreath I put together.  

I've seen some new faces added  to the American Legion color guard and that's a good thing.

Later I put on my Civil War widow's dress and went to Camp Butler.  I had brought a clipping of my roses for my husband's grave but they got a little wilted after the ceremony. That's alright, summer decor doesn't stay long on the graves because of the mowing.

I'm  reading the "Power of a Praying wife" with an online group:
http://www.womensetapart.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/The-Power-of-a-Prayingr-Wife-Stormie-Omartian.pdf


 

My Week

 I'm slowly starting to get back into society.  Monday evening I went to the VFW meeting.  I, along with the other officers, were sworn in as officers.  I did remain seated during the pledge of allegiance and prayer however.  

I ordered this no-bend pet bowl and not soon enough. I keep sweeping up dog food that's not very cheap dog food either. I even stirred in wet dog food with dry using my toe twice.  It arrived but was much bigger than I thought for my little dog.  I did order another in a smaller version.  I wish I had this bowl on a stick even before I knew I needed it.   

After my surgery, I had the natural problem so my son got me prune juice. He could only find a big bottle so I finished a little at a time until the last small juice size glass Tuesday morning. Then the bomb happened.  I had an accident in my pants. It was a mess.  I had just showered and walked the dog.  It was a two shower day.  Well, the bottle is empty and won't happen again.

Later in the evening I went to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for a foundation sponsored event called "Evening with the Creators".  Topic was about the new seasonal display on the "Cubs vs Cardinals Rivalry"

During the planning phase, Sam Wheeler was asked to look at the sign above the temporary exhibit gallery and was asked to read it out loud. "Illinois Gallery" So then it was translated that the "Cubs vs Cardinals Rivalry" fits that description.

Wednesday I walked Sophie and her collar slipped off her head. I panicked since I can't bend over. I got on all fours and pulled her to me and tightened the collar up a little. Then I crawled to a nearby mail box for an assist to my feet. Oh the hell of these restrictions. 

Wednesday the wind was so high that we had a dust storm.  This is the big Cross on I-72.

Here's the view from downtown at the Old State Capitol looking south.

The roads were closed and there were numerous accidents.  Some casualties.


Chatham man dead in crash caused by dust storm


Thursday I went to a meeting of the Catholic War Veterans.   We had 2 new members and a good turn out especially since this wasn't our normal meeting night of "second Thursday".

Friday morning it poured.  I stepped out in the back yard after the rain and noticed that the house behind me has a slip N slide with a sprinkler running on it.  I guess they forgot to turn it off.

Saturday morning it rained hard.  My new gutters were overflowing.  The bottom extension came off and the other side had nothing coming out at all.
So Sunday I had my son climb up the ladder and see if there were gutter guards like I ordered.  I thought I was ripped off by Gutter X (contract written through Suttons).   I had to wait until Monday to get attention for this.  And they plan to come out and fix the problem.  I paid $882 for good gutters too so you can understand why I fretted.

Then my son cut my grass while his laundry was being done.  I fixed sausage ravioli.

  
Sunday morning I went to Mass with the Catholic War Veterans for our monthly memorial Mass and I got up and spoke about the CWV before Mass.  After Mass we had a nice breakfast at Parkway Cafe.  

Some weird looking snake skin was dangling under my car. I could see it at a distance but couldn't get low enough to tell.   The neighbor pulled it off with my grabber and it turned out to be muffler guard.

 Spinal Fusion Survivor:  I cringe at dare devil videos gone wrong.

My week

The Princess and the Pea

That's how I feel when I sleep. 

http://hca.gilead.org.il/princess.html

I'm think I need a vacation.  I've wasted the past few months and cleared my calendar of all events and living in a bubble.   A few I have in mind is the Colorado WAF association reunion in August and/or Poland trip in October with the church group.  www.goldenfrontier.org.  I'd like to visit family too but would like to have my sons along if they can find the time off and dog sitters.

This was clipped from the AMVETS newspaper from March.

 

Do you see the grit teeth?  That's a forced spondy pain smile.
http://www.ilamvets.org/Portals/0/Newspapers/April2017web.pdf

Wednesday I had a closure appointment with "home occupational therapist".  Iris from our American Legion gave me a rare Midge doll and her birthday flowers which she won't be able to enjoy since she's going on a trip.  Those flowers will be enjoyed twice.  Then my son took me to the Chatham Cafe for our AMVETS meeting.  At last month's meeting I wasn't sure if I could go this month.  When the meeting was over and he brought me home, there was a rain storm that poured buckets.  Sean notified me that he pulled off the road on his way home as I watched from my sun room.

Thursday the highlight was light but I did finish hemming a dress.

Friday I washed two loads of laundry....using the help of my grabber.  In the afternoon, Sean drove me to my appointment to have my stitches taken out. My latest trend is perfume and lipstick and head held high when I go out. First there was the x-ray.

Then the cold alcohol swab and the stitches being pulled out.  I feared my stuffing coming out.  But everything is moving as planned.  I told PA Doug that I don't take many pain pills except when needed which is usually night time.  Wednesday-Thursday night was a 2 pill night.  Thursday-Friday was no pill night.  Oh I still had to get up to pee but the problem is re-situating in a comfortable position to go back to sleep.  The physician assistant was happy with my answer.  He let me openly take the photo on the monitor.   On the way home we stopped at Bed Bath and Beyond to get another grabber.  This one is cool.  I could pick up a hair pin on the bathroom floor.   However, nothing seems to help with the dog bowl.   Later, Mary Ann came to help with cleaning.  She made my bed too which I was shy to ask.  I knew I could get the sheets off to wash but putting the clean ones on would violate the BLT (bending, lifting, twisting) rule.   Actually, I know I'm incapable do perform with this rule.

Saturday was my first driving experience and I went to a DAR picnic for the veterans nearby.  I also had my first shower since the surgery and I have a follow-up on June 16 which I hope should release me from the BLT restrictions.  I returned the borrowed toilet seat riser as I prepare to go out into the normal world.  I stopped by to return a toilet seat riser that I borrowed from Joan.  She just had gallbladder surgery and not in the best shape.  Now that I'm getting out I should use a regular toilet again. 

I watched a western:  Ned Blessings
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA67yF-PIyY

Katy shared a picture for Mother's Day on Facebook.  Thanks Katy.  It's grandma Mae (Frank's mother as expressed to my sons) sitting in a rocker that I am currently sitting in during my recovery.  My jaw dropped.  It seems this rocker has been easier to stand up from than my power recliner.  I think the recliner has a long seat base for such a short person causing my back to bend where it shouldn't whereas the rocker minimizes this.

I do think of her whenever I see this chair and hope to pass it on to my son or better yet rock my own grandchild in this chair. My blessed prayer shawl covers the back.  How sentimental.

I went to my regular 8AM Mass instead of the 10:30 service that I went pre-op due to morning pain.   The church seemed more crowded than I remembered.  Father gave the mothers a pin and a special blessing.  

When the collection basket was passed, I slid it down the pew to the next person rather than carried it.  Ha!  It worked.  One of the parish nurses thought I was pushing it but I told her I'm moving right along with the doctor's orders.  The chuckle of the day was when I passed the basket with a shove down the pew.  My Dr always said I could drive as long as it's short and no drugs. Well I waited till the stitches came out.  It's still hard getting into the drivers seat.

My sons came over to celebrate Mothers Day.  We had BBQ, pie, macaroni salad and Hawaiian rolls.
I got flowers, perfume and the biggest card in the world.  Most of all, their services.  I got my grass cut, the milkweed taken care of, the Yamaha started, and the air compressor  blew out  the loose stuff in my garage out.

Before the boys (men), left, we had our traditional dog walk but this time a shorter walk because of my limitations.  I enjoy all of us walking the dogs together. 

My Week

There are so many things that I'm missing this weekend:  The Vietnam Memorial 24 Hour vigil, Civil War Reenactment in Morton, the ABATE Motorcycle Awareness Rally to name a few.   I'm told a special prayer was said for me at the reenactment's Sunday morning church service.

My physical therapist came over to walk me outside. I put on some lipstick and perfume because it was an official date.

We walked Sophie together and she was kind enough to do that bending part required for the walk.  She gave me a few more exercises and said I should feel free do drive.  This was 9 days post-op.  I was surprised.  I know my doctor said I could drive short trips too as long as I wasn't under the influence of pain meds and took that at home. I mentioned this to my neighbor who works at St John's and he advised against it because he's seen car accident victims that were post-op from jolt or reaction time.  I'll believe him.  On the plus side, he thought I looked a little taller. I need to take a good look in the mirror.

Sunday, my son assisted me while I shampooed in the kitchen sink.  He drove me to County Market for a few perishables and ending coupons.  I felt that pot hole at the entrance to the parking lot for sure.   Then to church for the chicken dinner fundraiser.  I had asked Laura for a delivery but then we would have had to wait till she came home from helping the dinner at 5PM.   Mary came later and changed my dressing.  Stitches will come out on Friday.  What this photo doesn't show is purple bruises below the photo.

Well Sunday evening I did go to bed early because something didn't feel right.  I went back to the walker for security and took my pill.  I don't know if it was over confidence,  new dressing, changing from the rocker to recliner, or pressure of the bed railing bar on my left thigh pressing as I get up from the bed.

Kim, OT, came over Monday morning which I was glad.

I received a nice Edwardian ensemble through Ebay for only $53.  Of course it needs shortened but love the adjustable waist band.  I have the wide hat already but when I look at a lot of old photos, I see more that look like this with a jacket.  It's made by Frontier Classics. 

Sewing projects are backlogging.  I did some hand-stitching and dropped my needle and thread on the floor.  It took a few tries with the grabber.

My nap was interrupted by texting and a door bell.  By the time I put my glasses on and hearing aids on and hobbled to the door, the salesman started to leave.  Too funny but I could have stayed in bed and had my nap.  I made up for it though.
Day 11 and I need lipstick.

Spinal Fusion post Operative Procedure

Spinal Fusion post Operative Procedure

Yes I was scared of surgery.  As the anesthesia went into my vein, I could feel it right away.  Next thing I knew there was a lump on my back but I also noticed that the pain running down my legs was gone.  I don't usually have high blood pressure but it dropped really low during surgery and a cardiologist was brought in.  Close but didn't go all the way into the danger zone.  All clear and nothing wrong with my heart. 

My throat was sore from what ever they shoved down there during surgery.
I vomited twice that first day and it was only popsicle and yogurt (and pills).

I had a pastoral minister visit both days but refused Holy Communion the first day because of the vomiting.  We had a nice prayer instead.   Saturday morning was a little better.

Alan drove me  home from the hospital on Saturday about 12:30PM.  I was given comfort pillows for the ride home which really helped.  I don't know what I'd do without my mechanical bed I got last September as a birthday present to myself.

My orders were no repetitive BLT (Bending-Lifting-Twisting) which seems like something I have difficulty with anyway.   Everything I lift seems twice as heavy as before. 
I flipped the calendar over to May and my calendar seemed heavy.  I got fresh clothes off the hanger and that was heavy.  It's important too because the screws and spacers need to become one with me lest this all be a waste of time. The doctor's skills will NOT BE WASTED HERE!

I had a little trouble getting my prescription. County market pharmacy is closed on Saturday. Alan got my prescription at Walgreens but they did not recognize my military ID for Tricare at first. I have older style without some scan feature but still good till Aug 2018.

The robin eggs that had nested in my wall basket had hatched while I  was away.  Son sent me this photo so I could see.

Monday I didn't make it to the toilet in time and Sean had a clean up on isle 1.  He could not find key to garage side door so he had to use the garage door opener in my car to get in for a mop. 
Well I needed to change anyway clothes anyway because I had been wearing the same since I came home from the hospital.  Then he helped me wash my hair in the kitchen sink.  Larry (AKA Gen Grant and wife) and Rita Wherline brought us dinner, lots of chicken and dumplings, some green beans and jello salad.  Yum.
 
Facebook gave me a look to the outside world.  I got to see a lot of friends prom photos this weekend and a lot of photos of rain flooding.

Monday I got a call from the nurse that "Memorial Home Medics" was not covered by Tricare so they arranged "Great Lakes".

Ahhh the miracle of the bowel movement Tuesday morning.  I knew I was full of shit but I had little to eat the last few days also.  I think I laid eggs.  Later I had a visit from Great Lakes home care.  Got my vitals and set up with some simple chair exercises.  I was uplifted by flowers that my sister sent me and delivered about the same time we were texting each other.  Then Mary came over and changed my dressing.  She said the incision looks good.

I am very weak.  Can't open plastic packages that come in the mail or lift much.  Getting my smock off a hanger felt heavy.  Flipping the calendar to May felt heavy.  I can go to the bathroom and that's a big deal when your sons are caregivers and don't want to see all of mother.  This about sums up my activity.

some more spondy humor: