Progress

Still at rehab and

Improving very slowly.

Don't know discharge yet.

Rehab update

Everybody has commented on my breathing since I've been in here, so I guess I'll be asking my doc about a pulmonary workup when I see her for my 6-month check in December. 

The PT continues to go well.  I walked more than twice as far this morning, and am now on getting-up-with-assistance for the bathroom.  This is great.  Even Jean is pleased.  The Occupation Therapy folks are working a lot on my upper body strength, so I have good confidence with that to help with walker/chair/cane, etc.  We'll see what fun thing they come up with next.  I know the bicycle thing is still in my future.

Five days postop

 I'm SO much better today.  I've had a shower, gotten my hair washed, and actually been to the toilet - all wonderful accomplishments.  The PT gals both told me I've done a great job today.  No panic this time, and had enough pain medicine to keep that under control.  I definitely will agree with the inpatient rehab.  IMO, the folks here are MUCH better dealing with patients here than in the hospital.  Things were too fast and rushed there - at least for me.  In the hospital, it was too much about getting me walking and to the potty and to the hall, etc.  Here they first worked on some strengthening to the leg, and just more standing and weight-shifting - before they actually worked on getting me walking any distance. And she started me off getting up between the parallel bars, rather on the walker.  She measured the distance covered this morning, and I had walked 30 feet.  It doesn't sound like much, but definitely was.  I could hear Jean all but crying behind me, she was so pleased.  I sat in the wheelchair to have lunch today, and then got taken to the potty.  Then just bed stuff for me to do the rest of the day. 

Coming here was definitely the best plan.  I really don't think I'd be doing as well as I am (5 days post-op) without it. Jean reevaluated my wardrobe and went to Walmart to make some adjustments, so I'm well fitted out with "lovely" exercise clothes, etc. I don't know how long I'll be here, but probably at least a week. 

Surgery eve

At least I'm early on the schedule.  I'm supposed to be at the hospital at 6:15 in the morning.  Jean got here this afternoon, and we've packed and talked about what needs to be done.  One of us will post as soon as possible. 

Counting down

Fortunately, my pain level was considerably less today than yesterday.  I guess things have settled down a little bit. I got a short pre-surgery haircut and hope it will last for the duration.  I started gathering different clothing for the hospital vs rehab. That was about the extent of my activities today. 

On the weather front, we tied a record high of 89 today.  It seems like this summer will never end.  However, the prognosticators are saying that it's going to cool off substantially by this weekend - with maybe even a little bit of rain.  We'll believe that when we see it.

Mondays can get interesting

I went to swimming and bridge today.  I came in second last week (four tables), and that was good to hear.  I'm sure I didn't do that well this time.  But I had some interesting hands and got a play a lot of successful defense (always fun).  One of my swimming buddies (Renna) fell yesterday - on her face.  She wound up with a broken nose, stitches, and dental surgery today.  At least she didn't break a big bone, but still.  I really hate it for her. Poor baby

Only two more days, and it can't come soon enough.  I went off my NSAIDs after Friday , and my body is really complaining.  I have an Rx for pain meds, but rarely take them.  That's not been true since yesterday.  Not fun at all. I didn't realize how much good the daily Rx does.  I'll sure be glad to get back on it regularly

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On another front:  A group of residents and family members (50 total) met with the local Ombudsman for assisted living, etc., this afternoon.  I wasn't able to attend, but have gotten a report about it.  This large group gave a list of problems with the food (quality and service) and nursing since the new management company took over.  I gather it was a very good meeting.  The Ombudsman will digest all the information given to her and then meet with Management from the Terrace.  It will be interesting to see what happens next. Stay tuned.

"Exciting" weekend.

My exciting weekend started when there was no duplicate game at the bridge center because of a regional tournament.

Saturday's fun was taking a couple of my co-residents to the grocery store.

Today, it was laundry.  It's good the surgery is coming up, so I can get a few days of rest.

Friday Five

1. Swimming, followed by an Autumn coffee/breakfast at Renna's for the group.  Sweet!
2. Got business done.  Hand delivered signed contract and retainer check to the attorney, and got the medallion signature for what I hope is the last investment transfer (and got that mailed).
3. Went to duplicate, only to find an empty building.  No session because of a regional tournament.
4. Vegetated through my unexpectedly free afternoon.
5. Got achy enough that I decided to not go up to dinner, got into soft clothes, ate at home, and went to bed early.

Thursday stuff

Forgot to mention the HORRIBLE thing I saw on Tuesday.  I went to Walmart, and they had Christmas stuff out on the shelves.  AAAAARRRGGGHHH!!! 

I went to Silver Sneakers, and my afternoon was dedicated to a mani/pedi and a visit with the Financial Advisor.  I had to get the polish off my nails before the surgery.  Then I went to sign some more stuff at the financial office.  Lots of stuff to get arranged. 

I'm seeing some birds I haven't seen for a while - guess they're coming back for the winter.  All summer I've had nuthatches, titmouses (titmice?), black-capped chickadees.  Now I'm seeing some cardinals, doves, and wrens.  I really hadn't missed them until they started showing up again. And the hummingbirds have gone for the winter.

Voted!

My big (and only) accomplishment today was to vote.  The county election commission comes here so residents can vote.  The state early voting starts on the 19th, so this is essentially an absentee ballot.  I'm just glad to have it done before my surgery. And now these people can all shut up and get off my television.

Rain deficit!

The weather is great.

We really do need some rain.

Sun, glorious sun!

Preadmission Monday

I had my preadmission visit this morning - and it took the whole morning.  Blood work and EKG, then a visit with the nurse for history-taking and instructions. Someone will call me the afternoon before surgery to let me know the time to show up. Fortunately there's so much information prior to a joint replacement that everything is written down, too.  Now I get to study and exercise and remember to do all this stuff.

I had enough time to grab some lunch before bridge.  And then even got some pretty good cards during the afternoon. This evening, I started some of the exercises and studied the paperwork from the hospital.  Tomorrow I need to talk to the nursing staff here and find out for sure the services I can expect for after rehab.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

Wish List Meme, part one

1.) What are 3 things on your Wish list and why?  Good health; to have my money last; for Trump to disappear.

2.) Do you miss your childhood? No

3.) What do you do on your spare time on the weekends? I'm retired. Weekends are just like the rest of the week.

4.) What do you appreciate most in your life? My family.

5.) Would you rather be rich or healthy? I'll take some of each.

6.) If you could go back in time would you and why? Maybe a couple of years, before John got sick.

7.) Favorite game as a child? Jacks.

8.) What is your dream career? I pretty much like retirement.

9.) What do you do in your free time? It's all free - I knit, read, play around on the computer.

10.) Favorite clothing stores? I hate shopping, so Walmart or online.

11.) What TV shows can't you live without? NCIS, Rachel Maddow, Sunday Morning.

12.) 3 things you need in your life are: Food, shelter, family.

13.) What can't you sleep without? I can sleep most anywhere, anytime.

14.) Who do you have a celebrity crush on? Nobody - well, maybe Gibbs.

15.) What is your Favorite Season and why? I love the cool, crisp weather of Fall.

16.) What is your Favorite Wild Animal? Hawks

17.) Name 3 of your Favorite Childhood shows: Mine were on the radio, and I really don't remember any of the names.

18.) If you could live as a character in a movie who would it be? No answer here.

19.) Favorite vegetables? Tomatoes (but that's a fruit), corn.

20.) Favorite Fruit? Cantaloupe (or maybe tomatoes)

21.) If you had a dragon what would you name it? Dragon 

22.) What do you put on hotdogs? Mustard, onions, chili

23.) Do you play online games? Yes, but not timed ones or role-playing ones.

24.) What's your favorite way to get inspired? Huh?

25.) Do you have a middle name? I didn't until I got married, then I used my maiden name as my middle name

Friday Five

1. Hurricane Matthew has ruled the news.  All our folks are safe.
2. Alison & Joe are in Croatia and other countries on their long-delayed honeymoon.
3. Happy Birthday, Margaret!
4. I wonder if Trump will overcome today's news like he has all the other revelations.
5. It's looking like another quiet weekend.

Legal stuff

The trip to the attorney was quick and easy.  When I made the appointment, the paralegal sent me an email with a form to get all the information they needed.  I filled that out and took it with me.  I also took, of course, my previous wills/documents.  It's a one-attorney office, in a small building,  and the attorney deals with "elder" related issues - so it was just what I was looking for.  My appointment was at 10:30, and I was back home at 11.  I had provided all the information, so we didn't have to go through a lot of that.  Anyhow, I liked the man, so I'm pleased with my morning.

Bridge after supper tonight, and that's the extent of my excitement for the day.

Ten Things Tuesday

1. I got my flu shot here at the Terrace.
2. Silver Sneakers class gets me off my butt.
3. Lunch was okay today.
4. Hurricane Matthew is turning out to be a real stinker.
5. Paul and Katherine are having to evacuate from their home.
6. Sarah and Carson are having to evacuate from their home.
7. I went to supper with Carol and Stephen at a new Caribbean restaurant.
8. Jerk Chicken is good, but a little hotter than I'd like.
9. I watched the Vice-Presidential debate.
10. It didn't change my mind on the election.

Better Monday

Home after my long Monday.  Not much in cards at bridge today, but the time in the pool was great.  My back pain has eased off over the day, so I guess it wasn't the Fosamax.  I don't much care - as long as the pain has stopped.

We now have a 14" rain deficit for the year, and have no rain predicted for the next two weeks.  And the highs over the next five days are supposed to be in the mid80s.  Crazy year.                                                                                

A new life begins for the newlyweds and old stuff for me

The wedding was lovely and Andy & Erica are well and truly married.  The venue was great, with beautiful weather.  The ceremony was outdoors beside a lively, lovely small river, just at dusk, and just outside the mouth of the cave.  The reception was held under the overhang at the entrance to the cave, beautifully decorated with lights and white and black flowers.  And it's always great to get to spend time with my girls, their spouses, and good friends.  Sue and Randy got me back home about 2, so I had time to get my papers read and then go up to supper.

I'm going to have to check with my rheumatologist this week.  I've had five once-weekly doses now of Fosamax, and my back is killing me.  I've been taking more pain medicine, but without much help.  I don't know if this is something new or a side effect from the Fosamax, so I want to ask his opinion and what my options are.  The knee did pretty well with the walking at the wedding.  I was very careful with the cane, and the girls and SILs are so solicitous with me.  Anyhow, we shall see......