Visit to Doctor and Other Thoughts

Filling out the paperwork (again) while waiting to see my doctor yesterday

Yesterday I saw my doctor (orthopedic surgeon) for the first time since my surgery a week ago.

My appointment was at noon-time, apparently during his office's lunch time because there were no other patients in the waiting room.  

Bill and I arrived early (45 minutes) early as we usually do for our appointments.  Generally we are taken in early but not yesterday.  

We waiting in the waiting room.  After about twenty minutes my leg really started to hurt (I have to keep it elevated).  I sought out one of the office assistants and asked if I could be placed in one of the backrooms on one of those tables where I could keep my leg elevated.  She seemed a bit annoyed with me and said "No one is allowed in back until the doctor is in."  She said it twice. I got the message. My leg was still hurting, and getting worse.  She suggested that I elevate my leg on another chair in the waiting room.  That I did and the increasing pain in my leg started to recede.

"Ah, relief!"

 One o'clock, my appointment time rolled around (and their lunch hour was over), I was taken back to one of the back rooms to wait for my doctor. A big sign on the door says "NO CELL PHONES".  That's why  you won't see any pictures of those rooms.

The doctor's assistant opens my brace so I'm ready for the doctor.  He comes in the room about ten minutes later.  It is very uncomfortable for me to lie on one of those tables because they are build for short people.  If you're over 5'6" you're hanging over the table.  I'm 6'3" so I'm a LOT hanging over the table.

My doctor comes in and surveys my wound. He's pleased with the healing.  He suggests that I start to do some exercises of slightly bending my leg every day.  Not too much but enough to keep my leg muscle from atrophying and becoming "flab" (his term).

He said he will take out the staples (all twenty-five of them) at my next Tuesday, my next appointment with him which will be two weeks to the day since I've had surgery.

Bill and I leave and the three of us (me, Bill and my walker) hobble out to our car.  I tell Bill to wait while we're in the car so I can do a Rapid Order with Panera Bread.  I have an iPhone app for Panera Bread in which I can order anything, have it paid for and pick it up in ten minutes.  I was hungry and I need my protein.  

I didn't feel like all the effort of preparing food for lunch.  I've decided that during my convalescence I will order out, often.  It's good food, nutritious and much less effort than cooking and preparing it myself in our kitchen.  Yesterday I ordered a roast beef sandwich with horseradish, a broth bowl and a Mediterranean Veggie Sandwich for dinner. Oh my God, delicious! 

My Panera veggie sandwich for dinner - which looks exactly like their photo - which is very unusual because rarely does food look like their photos but Panera Bread is as advertised

I had a nice LONG afternoon nap yesterday (2 1/2 hours).  Of course I awoke in time for dinner and that scrumptious veggie sandwich with fresh homemade bread (tomato basil, nice and chewy).  

My dinner layout last night, accompanied by Panera Bread black bean soup, Glove magazine and Steve Kornacki on MSNBC filling in for Chris Matthews on "Hardball"

This morning, out my bedroom window I saw a flash of yellow.  My first daffodil!  Spring is here.  A little later this morning "Robin" from Home Health Care is stopping by to change and clean my wound. 

Progress is being made folks.  Each day that goes by is a day closer to returning to my normal life.  But I will say one thing, this experience I'm going through now isn't for naught.  I always learn something even from bad experiences.  Even though this is probably one of the worst (right up their with my kidney stones and prostate cancer and hernia operation with a staph infection), I again have a new appreciate for good health.  Being able to get around on one's own, being independent and mobile.  Being about to come and go as one pleases.  Being able to enjoy each day as it comes without any encumbrances and restrictions.  Being able to have freedom.  I will alway remember how fast that freedom can be taken away from you in an instant.  If it was not for that one stumble on the ice build up at the base of that drain pipe, today I would be going to work.  Which, by the way folks, I miss terribly, going to work.  

This time of year is one of the my favorite times to go to work, when the days get longer in spring but before school lets out and the hotel gets packed.  But in only a few short months I will be back to work and that day folks will be a glorious day.

Spring is in the Air

 For the first time since my surgery last Tuesday (one week ago today), I got out of the house and breathed in fresh air.  

I went out on our back deck.  I dare not go out in public because it is too cumbersome with my leg in a brace and the risk of catching a cold or the flu, thus compromising my immune system. 

Oh how wonderful it was to have that wonderful, fifty-five degree, wind caress my old face.  There is life in Ron yet.  There is life yet!  

Tomorrow I have an appointment with my orthopedic doctor.  I will have to get out of the house to go to his office.  However, I won't be making any visits to supermarkets like I did before my leg surgery.  My home health care worker warned me that I would be exposed to the flu virus that is still making the rounds.  She said there were twenty-six deaths already in Delaware from the flu.  I had a bad cold a few weeks ago, I don't know if it was the flu or not.  But I certainly don't want to get sick again.

I'm eating well, going to the bathroom regularly, getting enough exercise and rest.  The one real challenge I have to deal with is patience.  She said it will take three months for my leg to get back to normal.  Sometimes I think of that period of time, being laid up and immobile (not being able to drive) and I feel like I'm going to go crazy.  I'm used to being active. My home health care worker saw immediately this morning and that's why she warned me to be patient.

Progress is being made folks.  One baby step at a time but I am going in the right direction.  Maybe someday I'll get off this subject of my leg injury and write about fun stuff like our trip to California this past January.  But for now, bear with me while I get back to normal.  

It's all good folks. At least I'm not in a wheelchair.

The Repaired Ron - standing!

Home Health Care Visit

Home Health Care - brilliant idea!

Cynthia, from Home Health Care just left.  She changed the dressing on my wound and pronounced that I am coming along fine.  

No infection on the wound, and I appear healthy.  She said "You must be doing the right thing."

She is concerned about five main things:

Infection
Bowel movements
Blood clots
Healing progress
Exposure to flu

I have no infection.  My bowel movements are fine.  In fact, they're the best they've been even before my accident.  She said that is most probably due to my change in diet.  I was advised to eat a lot of protein, which is what I am doing.  In fact I just sent Bill out to the Modern Mixture restaurant in Milton to pick me up some falafels, green smoothie and a tamale (veggie).  I'm eating good folks, no junk.

Modern Mixture Too restaurant in Milton DE

Protein infusion for Ron

I was concerned about potentially dangerous blood clots.  She said that they are a possibility if I was too bed bound.  But she said "I can see you're an active person, so keep up the balance of exercise and bed rest" which is just what I am doing folks. I can't lay in bed all day but I do find that my body tells me when I need rest.  Like right now I'm typing this blog at my computer, I can do this for a short period of time but then I have to stop because my body says "Time to rest!"

Home Health Care - this works!

She also told me something that I was wondering about myself.  Sometimes I feel a sense of panic that my leg will never work again.  She says I have to practice patience which is what I was doing, even though at times I felt like I was losing it.  She said "It will take at least three months" until you completely heal. That's a lot of patience folks, especially for me. 

She was also concerned that if my bowels didn't move due to inactivity, that I would have obstruction of my bowels.  Thank God I don't have that and I'm going to do whatever is necessary to prevent that including minimal and no use of pain killers which does causes constipation.  

Another concern she expressed, that I not get out and expose myself to catching the flu or a cold.  She said it was very important that my immune system not be compromised during this healing process.  Before I had my surgery (one week ago today) I did get out and go shopping but I haven't been out of the house since because I want to give every opportunity for my leg to heal.  Now I have another reason not to go out, to not expose myself to any flu viruses out there waiting to take me down. 

I do go out tomorrow to see my doctor.  Cynthia thinks maybe my staples in my incision will come out next week. That should be fun.  She advised me to take a couple of Tylenol a half hour before she visits. 

One little fall on the ice on February 18th, and see where this has brought me folks.  Our way of life can be changed so drastically in seconds.  

I am so thankful for the Home Health Care I am receiving  It is giving me so much peace of mind.  From every bad situation there is something to be learned.  What I am learning is that this aspect of our health care system is working.  And I have a new appreciation of people who are disabled and need help.


Life teaches you another lesson Ron.  

New Routine

My bedroom, where I spend most of my days now

I'm settling into a new routine while my leg heals. I would love to start posting again about my trip to California this past January, which seems so long ago now.  But I'm just not in the mood for that frivolity and lightheartedness yet.  I hope you can all forgive me.

My new routine consists of a combination of moving around our house here on my walker (my new "friend") and bed rest with my leg elevated.  

My "friend" and lifesaver, The Walker

Every other day I take a sink bath.  This morning was Sink Bath Day.  I have to tell you that I'm managing quite well shampooing my head in the sink, something I don't think I ever did before in my life.  

Yesterday Bill and I cleaned my wound and changed the dressing.  Tomorrow the home health care worker cleans my would and changes the dressing.  She also will do that this Thursday and the following week.  Bill and I do it on Sunday.

After I take one of these sink baths, I am exhausted and I have to lie down on my bed for at least an hour. I usually just lie there or call a friend on FaceTime (which I did this morning) to talk (not be alone) and gather my strength back.

 Today the weather is mild outside.  I saw a couple of sparrows checking out my turned over bird baths.  I asked Bill to set up the bird baths.  This is a springtime chore I usually would do if I didn't have this bum leg.

Last night I watched three episodes of "Downton Abbey."  Oh how I love that show.  So peaceful and relaxing watching all that class drama.  Just what I need at this time of my life, at this time of my convalescence. I have other Netflix DVD's but they contain violence and I am definitely not in the mood for any more violence especially after the violence done to my leg from the fall and subsequent operation. I don't need to see any more limbs damaged.

Yesterday I took advantage of Panera Bread's Rapid Pickup. 

I have an app on my phone which I can place an order with Panera Bread and just stop by and pick up the bagged order.  Of course I couldn't go out myself so Bill went out and picked it up.  I need a lot of protein now for my surgery to heal properly (and fast). This broth bowl of free range chicken, lentils, quinoa and miso broth, kale and other veggie goodies. 

Panera broth bowl as advertised - delicious!!!!!!!

By the way, Panera Bread is AS ADVERTISED.
The broth bowl looked just like the ad and was very easy to order.  I just ordered it with my iPhone app, paid for it and Bill picked it up on a shelf at Panera Bread.  Didn't have to talk to one human being. Some businesses just know how to operate and Panera Bread is one of them.  My body said "Thank you! Thank you!" after eating this delicious broth bowl.

I normally would make something like this myself but it is such an effort for me too cook in the kitchen now.  My leg needs exercise but just "walking" from my bedroom to my bathroom and kitchen is more than enough. And I could never make this dish for the $8.69 that it costs. In fact, I'm getting hungry just talking about it.  I'm going to order more today, in fact I think I'll order two of the broth bowls and just put them in the refrigerator and heat them up for dinner tonight and tomorrow night.

I won't be getting out of the house until Wednesday when I have my appointment with my orthopedic surgeon doctor. My staples are starting to itch. And I would love to bend my left leg, just once.

Time to catch up on a couple of my favorite bloggers then lunch then my daily afternoon nap.

I'm still here folks, coping.  One day, I will be back to normal.  And oh will that ever be a happy day for me.  I have a new appreciate for normalcy and life in general.

Afternoon Surprise - The Kindness of Strangers

Me with my Bird of Paradise Flowers from a very kind family

On this quiet gray, rainy Saturday afternoon here at Casa Tipton-Kelly we got a surprise.

While I was lying in my bed, resting my aching leg (healing I hope), I hear the doorbell ring.  Bill answers the door.  From my bedroom window I see a small white truck pull away.  "What could that be?" I wonder?

Curiosity getting the better of me, I wiggle out of my bed (have to "wriggle" lest I hurt my leg even more), get on my walker and make the short walk out into the kitchen.  Bill is smiling.  He says "I hope this make you feel better?"  He was referring to our earlier conversation in which I was trying to show him how to use FaceTime while he was shopping so I could show him what I wanted. Bill doesn't like to try new things.  He goes into anything new with an attitude "I can't do this."  I finally convinced him that if he goes into anything with that attitude then he won't be able to do it.  We had our "discussion", he realizing I was right and I retired to my bedroom to rest some more.

Thus, rounding the corner with my walker I see this huge box from a flower company.  Flowers? Someone is sending me flowers?  NO ONE EVER SENDS ME FLOWERS.  Now, don't anything get any ideas here and start sending me flowers.  I'm not fishing for flowers.

So we open the box, or more accurately Bill opens the box.  I have a hard time doing anything balancing myself on my walker.

Bill takes out the flowers.  They are Bird of Paradise flowers.  Well, I never have received flowers and I certainly have never received Bird of Paradise flowers.  Someone has really great taste.

Bill finds the card.  I open it to read:

"Ron-

Get well soon, dammit

Best wishes

Liberty and Independence

(Colby, Max and Jill)"

What a pleasant surprise.  "Liberty and Independence" is one if not the first blogs I read when I first started to blog in 2005.  He only writes once a week a blog post called:

"The Sunday Post"

He posts pictures that he took during the week, usually of his family and their activities.  I always read his blog because it gives me such pleasure.  He never complains and always has something positive to say.  He and his blog make me feel good about life.  What a nice generous gesture he and his family did by sending me flowers to express their concern for my well being.  If you want to see his blog it is HERE:

I have to tell you folks, I was genuinely touched.  How kind of this man and his family to take the time and effort to wish me well.  Thank you Colby and please thank your wonderful family.  You brought a little cheer into an old man's world on this dreary, rainy Saturday.

Yes, I am smiling! Something to smile about.  Kindness from friends.

Sink Bath Day

Today was "sink bath" day.  I can no longer take showers, at least not for the foreseeable future anyway.  

I'm not a big fan of sink baths, or as we used to call them when I was in the Army, whore baths. Hey, what can I tell you? That's my frame of reference, crude as it may be.

So every third day I take a sink bath or as Pat jocularly likes to refer to them as "stink baths."  I try to bath before the stink sets in.  You know, that Old Man Musty Smell.  So far so good, I'm smelling fresh as a daisy.

Hey folks, the warm prune juice worked!  Thank goodness.  Three days without going to the bathroom . . . . I was getting so sluggish.  The prune juice kicked in about an hour after I took it.  A total of five visits to the bathroom to totally clean me out.  And I didn't have to use the portable commode once.  I just hobbled my way to my private meditation room (I have a toilet in its own special room which I LOVE).  I had nightmare visions of ending up like my roommate at the hospital who was going on SIX days without a bowel movement.  My God can you imagine?

So that's out of the way.  

I went to bed fairly early last night and slept very well.  I still can't lift my leg but I am managing getting in and out of my bed by myself without bothering Bill to life my left leg into bed.  I can even manage to put a pillow under my left leg when I'm in bed so it is somewhat elevated which gives me a great deal of relief.  Unlike right now when I'm typing this blog entry and my left leg is extended outright and very uncomfortable. 

I have some bills to pay on my computer but then I'm off this computer and back into my bed until lunchtime. 

My routine now consists rest and the limited physical therapy of walking around the house with my walker, which I'm getting pretty good at.  I can't tell if there is any difference in my leg other than some of the staples are starting it itch.  

Next week I have a follow-up appointment with my orthopedic surgeon.  I understand I won't start real physical therapy for another three weeks.  Can't come soon enough.  I really miss getting out and just taking Bill for a ride, which we often do. Not now though, my life has changed and all from one fall on the ice. How fast one's life can change.

Be well folks and I'm off here to pay some bills.

Home Health Care

Lots of paperwork from Home Health Care

Home Health Care came by this morning.

They came by to show me how to clean and dress my wound from surgery.  

I am so relieved.  Having home health care is a much better option than staying in the hospital, where as you know one gets NO rest.  Also, the hospital is full of germs.  Plus, I'm in my own home which is way more conducive to recovery (familiar surroundings,etc) than a hospital.  Generally I'm very pleased with the hospital that is caring for me but believe me, I'll opt for home health care.  MY only other option is to go to a rehab center and I definitely don't want to go to one of those.  My neighbor, who had hip replacement, spent some time in a rehab center but signed herself out and went home.  

"Kaitlyn", the young lady from Home Health Services, came by this morning and spent about two and a half hours with me and Bill.  



 She showed me how to clean my wound, which is to be done every other day. I took some short videos, for me and Bill to look at, because we will have to clean my wound this Sunday and wrap it up. Kaitlyn said someone from Home Health Services will be by next Tuesday and Thursday and the following Tuesday and Thursday to clean and dress my wound. While she was cleaning my wound this morning she counted the number of staples I have in my incision.  How many do you think?  I can't stand to look at them but she counted them and said I had twenty five staples.  Nice job Ron.

Preparation for cleaning and dressing the wound

So how are you doing now Ron a few days after surgery?  

Well, I still haven't pooped (surgery was on Tuesday).  One of the wonderful side effects of pain killers is that they constipate you.  I am constipated of course but I have stopped taking the pain killers.  My pain level is down to a 2 or 3 (sometimes 4) and I can tolerate that.  It's just when it gets up to 7 or 8 I reach for the pills. Kaitlyn advised me to drink a glass of warm prune juice to get my bowels moving again.  Lovely subject for a family blog huh?  Well you know me folks, I generally don't gloss over.  Not at least where my bowels are concerned.  I like to go every day, sometimes more than once.  

I just got up from a very refreshing nap.  Activities like this morning tend to drain me but Kaitlyn said it was important that I keep active around the house, keep the blood flowing. Even as I sit here at this computer desk with my left leg splayed out, it's good. One thing, I'm getting around good on my walker.  But I am totally dependent on Bill for my food shopping. I can get my medication delivered to me, another fine service by the very aware medical community down here in Lower Slower.  No hobbling to the pharmacy and waiting and waiting for my number to be called. 

So here we are at Friday night folks.  I won't be going out to the clubs tonight moonwalking.  After dinner ("eat lots of protein", Kaitlyn advises me, "helps to heal faster"), I'll settle in for a movie night at the Tipton Cinema. That's what I usually do on weekends anyway.

One thing I'm really missing folks, besides my mobility (which I miss A LOT) is going to work.  I may only work two days a week but I do so like going to work and being active.  This couch potato lifestyle just isn't me.

Stay tuned folks, the saga continues.  Today was a good day, for a Friday the 13th.