Home again!

It's 9:45 p.m. Eastern Time. We got home about an hour ago after an uneventful last leg of the trip. We've had our Burger King burgers, emptied the suitcase into the laundry basket, gotten into our PJs, and are comfortably in our chairs.

It was a great trip, with lots packed into it. So many people made it extra-special (and you know who you are!). I'll write more tomorrow.

Update from Lake Almanor

The fires are still an issue - as to where we can go and what we can see. It's pretty chilly, because of the smoke layer hiding the sun. We don't notice the smell most of the time. The active ones are still doing lots of bike riding, hiking, kayaking, and water skiing. We're getting an evening bridge game, of course.

On Saturday, we'll head south with Ann and Al, planning to take two days, arriving Sunday noonish.

The arm is improving slowly, but I'm still taking various pain meds on a regular basis. Im still having some dizziness when I change position quickly, and wonder if I had a concussion. Also I have some intention tremor in the left hand. So I'll need to get those things checked out when we get home. I have a follow up with the orthopod on Tuesday after we get back.

Guess that's all the news for now.

Monday night

The fires are pretty bad in this area of CA - I think there are three now, plus some backfires they have lit. It's very smokey, but either we're used to it, or we just don't smell it that much. The athletic ones keep hiking,biking,kayaking, water- skiing, etc. I'm exhausted just watching. This ia really a great bunch of folks, and we wiah we could get together more often. It's just a long, damn way from here to there.

The arm is doing as well as can be expected . I still don't get much use out of it, but keep doing the exercises and taking the meds. I found out tonight that I can deal and even shuffle the cards. 8-)

We'll hope for more fire (and pain) control.

Lake Almanor

brutal travel day yesterday. Up at 2am,shuttle to Atlanta, fly to Denver,connect to Sacramento, Ann and Al met up, drive to have lunch with Bev andWalt (fabulous - check Airy Persiflage for photos , more here later). Drive to

To Cisco to Costco, then to here. gorgeous house and lake. alll family here. And ready to play!

I slept nearly 10 hours to catch up, and we'll see what today brings. also figuring out how to do this one-handed on iPad.

more later, I hope.

Off on another adventure

Still creaking along, trying to do the exercises the doc mentioned specifically, and move otherwise as much as possible doing just the normal stuff. We leave the house way before dawn in the morning, leaving from Atlanta on a 6:30 flight. We wanted to get to Sacramento near noon. Ann & Al are going to pick us up, and we're planning to have lunch nearby with Bev> I first met on the old SeniorNet. She and I have become good "blogger friends", but have never met in person. So glad this timing worked out and we can remedy that. Then we'll drive on north to where we're staying near Lassen NP.
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The UT Alumnus Magazine came today, with articles about two of my favorite people - Pat Summitt and Peyton Manning. It does point out one of the things I admire most about Pat. Of her players who have gone through the whole program, 100% have earned degrees. What a great lady!
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I did some working around with the iPad - figuring out what I can and can’t do with it when it’s online or not. Sweet Judy took me to get a pedicure this morning, so I’m heading off with happy feet.

Saving Grace (2000)

Because of the Olympics and then watching what we recorded while the games were on, we‘re just now getting around to watching our Netflix movie.

It was a repeat for us, but Saving Grace, a 2000 British movie, is one of the funniest movies ever. The Brits do this offbeat humor SO well. And there are certainly some familiar faces in the film - folks who have gone on to bigger things. Craig Fergusion, late night TV host, has a big role. Martin Clunes, Doc Martin on PBS, has another good role.

If you get the chance, check this one out.

Little bitty steps

It's not very interesting, but I'm making more progress on stamina-building.

After coffee this morning, Judy took me to sit in on the lecture part of my art class (she’s going to take a class next session and this gave her a heads-up).

I did my exercises. Tina came over and we got the Kindle and iPad synchronized. Now I can see ALL the books in our group’s collective archive. Yea!

Packing starts tomorrow.

All about me again (sorry)

I saw the surgeon this morning. They took out the staples and the incision is healing well. Things look good on the x-ray. Not quite what I had imagined, but the fixation looks like it'll do the job. He started me on several range of motion exercises. And he seemed pleased that I was taking only Ex-Strength acetominophen for pain (albeit on a regular basis). I did have to take a stronger med late this evening, though.

I've called the airline and they have me scheduled for wheelchair transport from Atlanta to Denver to Sacramento, with pre-boarding on both flights - basically door-to-door. I do love Southwest. I'm concerned about getting through security, but we'll just have to deal with that when it happens.
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I do love a good joke - even when I’m “it”. One of the SeniorReaders posted this for me today: I guess your beach volleyball days are kind of over? LOL That was crass...sorry, just couldn't help myself! You said "range of motion" and all I could think of was swinging arms and shoulders, blocking, digging and spiking. I wouldn't insist that you wear the bikini uniform, though! Keep up your exercises, and please, be careful!

John and I have really had good laughs over this one.

13 on the 13th

1. The Olympics are (is?) over. We didn’t watch the closing ceremonies. It sounds like it was a good party for the athletes, though. I hate that they keep track of the medals won by each country Congratulations to all the participants.

2. Now we can get caught up watching the programs we recorded while we were watching the Olympics.

3. I had my first stamina test this morning. John took me to WalMart. I wanted to get a couple of tank tops and knew exactly where they were in the store and on sale. He was pleased that I got a whole new wardrobe for $16.99 (four @ $3.00 + tax).

4. I went for my delayed appointment with the rheumatologist. I needed to check in with him. Of courses, the problems I usually talk about are masked by the current biggie. But I was glad to bring him into the loop on this injury.

5. Kate sent some of her iPad-cover rejects. I’ll give one or two of them a try and see if one will work for me.

6. We finished up the last of the meals that the wonderful swimmers brought us (except for the one we put in the freezer for later). I hope I can repay the kindnesses when the ball bounces the other way.

7. I’m starting to think seriously about what we need to be taking on the California trip.

8. John was going to try to row or walk with Diane this evening, but a line of severe thunderstorms scotched that idea. Maybe tomorrow.

9. I wish we didn’t have 2 ½ more months to go before the elections. We just use the off and mute buttons a lot on the TV.

10. I have my first postop appointment with the surgeon in the morning. I’m dreading getting the staples out.

11. I’m sure we’ll talk about physical therapy. They don’t say that PT stands for Pain and Torture without reason.

12. Last episode of The Closer and first episode of the sequel, Major Crimes, tonight.

13. Thinking about getting through airport security with a sling, wheelchair, and inability to move my arm very much.

Meet Leroy

Leroy is our new Granddog!

He is about four years old, and has been in foster care for about a year. He had been tried in several other homes over that year, but it never "took". Obviously, he was just waiting for Jean to find him.

And now they're both happy.

7 + 1 and a Gold Medal

A week and a day post-surgery. I'm continuing to improve. Getting a little more strength and a little less pain. I need to keep pushing so I can get through the marathon airport day next week.

And, along with that, I keep working on learning the iPad. I haven't figured out an Amazon/Kindle/iPad connection yet. I'll probably be calling Amazon tomorrow so they can help me get it set up

Only a couple more days of Olympics, and then it's into withdrawal. As interesting as it was, I can find it in my heart that NBC had found something other than the story of Britain during the Blitz to show for their first hour of coverage tonight.

But our wonderful women's basketball team has won the gold medal. We're proud of all the athletes - just for being good enough to get there in the first place.

A long way to go.

Tina came over this morning with a couple of the swimmers to help us with our iPads. I found out that I’m much farther along on the learning curve than the other two, but still have a long way to go. She did show me how to do a couple of building blocks, so that now I do a lot more by myself with setting things up. I definitely like the device itself.

One of the gals brought us a pot roast and mashed potatoes for dinner last night. It was delicious and we’re thrilled to have the leftovers to eat again tonight.

The shoulder continues to improve - a bit less swelling, a bit more movement. But, like with the iPad, there’s still a LONG way to go.

Recovering with new toys

Recovery seems to be going well today. I decided to see how I could do with backing off the pain meds. I took the last “big” one about 2 a.m., and didn’t have anything at all until midafternoon. Then I took one of the lesser meds. So far, so good. The swelling is going down a big, but the bruising is still pretty spectacular. I’m continuing to try to use that arm up to the pain limit and I hope that keeps improving.

And on to the really good news … the iPad that the girls gave me arrived today. Without too much difficulty, I managed to turn it on and hook it up to our house wifi. With some help from Jean, I’ve found some apps, and fumbled my way around.

I know there’s SO much more to learn, and it’s going to quite a journey. I assume that even sometime I may learn to write the blog on it, and take pictures.

Working and missing out

I wanted to start pushing my activity a bit, so John took me to coffee at Panera this morning. Some of the swimmers brought me home to visit and let John go to the grocery store, etc.

Here I was gone for the first time in a week, out for 45 minutes, and DAMN!, wouldn’t you know. Fed Ex tried to deliver the new iPad the girls are giving me. It was another round of !@##$%%$##. They will try to deliver again tomorrow - and you can bet I’ll be sitting right here waiting for them.

Tina said she would give me some lessons on how to use it. Marion already has one, but wants to sit in on the lesson. Renna’s been thinking about getting one, so she’s going to do that tomorrow, and she can get in on the class, too. Should be fun. Poor Tina - I don’t think she realized what she was letting herself in for.

John’s feeling better today from his tooth extraction. I hope we get some good weather in the morning so he can get some rowing

Tuesday

I’m trying to work on my stamina. I took a shower this morning (seated) and washed my hair. That plus getting dried off, and underwear on necessitated a short rest on the bed. But then I got my teeth brushed and dressed the rest of the way. I keep pushing with little baby steps. The swelling and color have moved down my arm, but not onto the hand yet. I’m still trying to increase using it a little bit at a time.

Now John and I are both patients. He sees a peridonitist and was told the other day that he was about to lose a back tooth. He had it pulled this afternoon, and now he has to take it easy for a couple of days. With all the good food in the house, it’ll just be scrambled eggs tonight. We’ll get caught up with the goodies again tomorrow.

One of the swimmers brought me a huge bouquet of zinnias from her yard - so summery and friendly. And another came by with yummy salads from Zaxby for lunch.
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Did anybody else play the Google Doodle game this morning? I only did it once - and I was terrible!

Another day...

Things not too bad today. I took about half-a-shower (sitting on a stool in the shower stall, with the hand-held shower). However, it wore me out so much that John didn't take me to Panera as planned. I need to start walking back and forth in the house, I guess, to build up my stamina. We did ask one of the gals to come "babysit" with me so he could get some time off by himself and row. Nice visit time for me, too.

Did I tell you that the surgeon called me yesterday evening? That's certainly not an experience I'd had before, and I was very impressed. Wanted to know how I was doing, asked some questions, etc. I have made my first followup appointment for next week; and remade the appointments that I had to cancel last week.

The swelling in my arm is amazing - watching it progress down my arm. It’s just past my wrist as I get ready for bed. By morning, I’ll probably have a ball hand with a bunch of sausages sticking out.

Sunday

Still hurting a bunch today - no surprise. John took off the big bandage today, and is seeing that I keep moving my arm. The Swim Team is feeding us SO well. Margaret came over to check on me, and bring some okra and some tomatoes. Also tonight, my surgeon called to check on me, to see how I was doing - a great surprise, and very appreciated.

Saturday evening

I'm almost back to typing with two hands. The pain is at a manageable level, and I think I'm mostly over the woozy part of the anesthesia. I've quit wearing the sling during the day, and that's much more comfortable. Also using the arm a bit. I'm supposed to be doing some forearm lifts (from the elbow) and pendulum swings with the arm hanging down. So I've gotten some of that done, too. I believe in staying ahead of the pain, so I'll be taking meds on a regular basis for at least today, and then maybe backing off somewhat. We shall see. John's letting me move around a bit by myself now. Thanks again for all your help in getting me through this mess. Much love!

Our wonderful daughters have ordered me an early Xmas present - an iPad!!! I am thrilled! Kate and Wayne sent some flowers, and the swimmers have been bringing food. You’re all great.
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home

Home from the hospital. All went well. Nerve block is starting to wear off. Have pain meds for later. Thanks for all the love.

Surgery tomorrow

I saw the doctor today. It's a complete break, just below the head of the humerus, slightly rotated. Surgery is scheduled for 11:30 tomorrow, with plate and screws. The fixation should make for a quicker and less-painful recovery. I hope so.

Klutz!

ER calls me “Fall
Risk”. Damn broken humerus
this time. What a klutz!
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An iconic image of Venice [or any tourist center]