Another 2 months  (or so) has gone by since I last sat down to write. I think it is because every time I think about writing it is to complain or moan or whimper. On any given day I feel and look like these pictures.They pretty much sum up this summer. Right now I am feeling pretty good (blue glasses) except for the Oxycontin withdrawal (brown glasses) I am currently going through
Thanks to all family and friends for support these
trying months. I owe you. (cookies, babysitting, Redskin tickets.....just name it !)
Will blog again soon 
As always
Whatever

 

Good morning everyone !!!

It has been almost 2 months since I have written a blog entry. I have been very busy with surgery, rehab, more surgery, PT, OT, Drs appts, etc. In April suddenly I (out of nowhere) felt intense pain in my left hip area....went to Suburban, X-rays, ct scan, the ER docs said they didn't see anything .

The next day I called the doc who did my hip replacement 5 years ago and he saw lots of problems...like loose screws (not in my head....my hip!!!) and scheduled surgery. Had the surgery, went to rehab (all at Sibley) continued to have pain which progressably got worse. Tried several interventions (injections) and finally Doc said more surgery to see what the f---- was still causing such intense pain. (opioids only made a dent in relieving pain.)

So another week in the hospital post surgery, Doc said all metal bits removed, and now we just wait for healing to start. Left the hospital with lots of prescriptions, and post op directions. Healing could take weeks, months, ????

Found a pain doc (nearby), a great physical therapist (who I have seen many times before)
got a very competent in home caregiver........

I now have 4 walkers ( on each floor and 1 in the car) 4 canes, and 1 wheelchair. Diapers, grabbers, and a wonderful reclining chair. Every bathroom is equipped with what I need.
Surgery doc says another few weeks for walkers and then I can switch to cane and put more weight on my left leg/hip. (I can walk without the walker but don't tell anyone)
   AND    Heres what I've learned from this whole experience......
1. Just because I fall and it looks like there is no injury (except bruises) it could be internal.
2. There are many many caring and thoughtful people in my life.
3. I can still move small objects (books, pencils, pill bottles) and pretend its furniture.
4. PD still affects movements and mood.( I thought that PD would give me a break.)
5. The loss of independence is staggering ....no driving, needing help with dressing, showering, stairs, cat care......just regular daily stuff.
6. The world is in far worse shape than I am. (thanks Donald)
7. I can sink very very low in TV program watching....Joey Bishop, Father Know Best, Wyatt Earp (actually enjoy some of them) 
8. I can watch 5 episodes of Law and Order in a row and not get bored.
9. I still want to pick up sticks and pull weeds.
10. Remember all the positives in my life and get past the rest.

See ya soon.
Whatever.

This picture should have shown me smiling....comfy chair, comfy clothes, and of course......White, the cat !!!!!!

You looking at me ???
Yes I am (at 2am) !!!!!! Looking for bird seed and squirrel food?
Why don't you ask the 2 foxes that ran across the back yard Saturday afternoon ? Must be something about Earth Day.

Last few weeks have been exciting. Visit from children and grandchildren. Nice weather. No falls....new meds working nicely.

Until last week when I woke up in intense hip / groin pain along with strange squeaking sounds coming from my left side every time  I  moved. Went to Suburban ER...the ER doc took X-rays and ct scan and said she saw nothing unusual...follow up with an orthopedist. I called Dr. Siram who did my original hip replacement.
He read the X-rays and said "UHH.....you have some broken parts that need replacement"   SO I will have surgery Monday at Sibley.
As long as Sibley food service still has chocolate pudding I should be fine. Not sure how long recovery/rehab/PT will take.

Thats all folks.
WHATEVER !!

These are scenes from my sisters apartment in Phoenix Arizona.
Nice, huh? Came on Wednesday for a week...rest, relaxation , Passover. 
Yesterday we went to a shop in Cave Creek AZ....perfect for me !!!
Bought 2 little mementos....don't ask. They also had 2 life sized chimpanzees sitting on a park bench. I thought the shipping costs might be a bit costly.

Maybe will go to Goodwill today. You never know what may be there for me .

Trying new restaurants, enjoying rock formations and scenery (thinking about my front yard ). 

On the PD front, all okay. Traveling is tough but manageable.

Toe is healing slowly. Our hosts are generous and patient. No hurrying. Relaxed and Chill. Thanks Janice and Len.

More later !!!!

So what is this? I stubbed my little toe (left foot), it was sooo painful and purple that I went to the DR. I was only able to get an appt with a PA (physicians asst). She said it was broken so I should tape it, ice it, stay off it.
I asked if there was a special shoe to wear. She 
said no. So I fashioned a "broken toe" shoe out of an old pair of sneakers. Kinda worked .

Eight days later ( this past Friday) my toe was still throbbing and bright red so I called the DR office again and this time spoke to my actual physician who said I should go get an Xray and go to the RightTime clinic. (It was Friday night) I did go and YES it was broken and they taped my toe and YES of course they had a shoe for me !!!

What does "stay off your feet" mean ?? I am trying to figure that out. I have tried NOT doing rock picking, landscaping, and furniture moving. Do I NOT go to PD exercise and yoga? Will the cats clean their own litter box ? Yet another WHATEVER thing!!! Day by day........

The GOOD news is that I have been using the carts that are at stores like Target that you drive 
yourself around .....I haven't hit anyone....but some of turns are tricky....Lots of fun exploring the whole store on wheels !!!

Beautiful day today. I will SIT  outside and use  binoculars to watch squirrels and birds and bunnies and ???

Til next time .......

HELLO ALL !!! 

Long time since I wrote anything.....WHY ????

No reason. 

Everything is fine. A trip to Madison.

A trip to to Bethesda, Silver Spring, DC, Gaithersburg, and Potomac.

A few falls, bruises, cuts.....no broken bones

Some med changes

Restart physical therapy for balance issues

Continuing exercise and yoga classes

Good strong energetic moments and

Can't get off the couch days

Frustration and anxiety 

Confidence and power

PD (for me) has no rhyme reason or patterns

Whatever Whatever Forever

My neighbor asked last Thursday if I was excited about the upcoming wind storm given my fondness (obsession?) with yard work. Of course she was right!! Couldn't wait to get outside and start making piles of limbs and sticks.....

No loss of power or internet or cable

No damage

Thats all for now

Hope my readers are doing well (as I am) Really

I am in beautiful snowy Madison Wisconsin  visiting the Tunis family. Jaime skis, Lola moves toys, both girls LOVE to read books and Grandma (of course) rearranges furniture (with and without permission ). Having an interesting time observing their daily lives.
I have lots of marriage and childrearing  advice to share but I don't offer unsolicited opinions. (yeah right) Typical Grandma stuff.

Last week at home I engaged in risky outdoor behaviors (involving of course bird feeders) and fell 2 times. Bruises and cuts but nothing broken. I saw the neurologist about my balancing and OCD  issues....2 PD concerns ..... he tweaked my meds....We'll see if I can be more thoughtful about my limitations.(yeah right)

Whatever
Diane