ONE YEAR OF BLOGGING THIS WEEK!

MONDAY:
And here we go again.  I was up quite awhile this morning and went back to bed at 7:30am.  I slept until 11:00.  What a messed up schedule!  After breakfast and a shower; we decided to changed the sheets on the bed.  That took some effort. 
We will do the regular wash tomorrow.


Bob is still working on the income tax.  He says one more step and he is done.  I read the Steve Jobs book some more, almost to the end.  I went upstairs to make a brownie mix.  I'm tired sitting!  Well, good thing Bob came up as I needed his help reaching bowls etc. 


We had our 4:00 coffee out on the back porch.  It was 64o out there.  So wonderful!  It sure has been a strange winter and I'm loving it.  I can't remember a winter like this since we moved here...40 some years ago.  Buffalo weather man says, we are behind by 44' of snow this year.  Feet?  Wouldn't it be nice if the next 6 weeks was the same.  I sure hope we don't get a repeat of the Blizzard of 1977.


FAT TUESDAY:
Same ole, same ole.  I sleep about 3.5-4 hours then I'm up prancing around in the wee hours.   Today's good news is that I lost 14.5 pounds since they weighed me at the NH Rehab Center.   Which is only 6 pounds from my original weight so it must have been fluid.   I can see a small difference on one side of my OP knee.  Yeah!    


I see on Face Book that Bob's neice and her children will be riding on one of the Mardi Gras floats today in Biloxi.  Love that FB.  She took us one year and we had a great time.  The people on the floats throw so many beads and trinkets that our necks were covered.   So many units (police cars, semis & floats, marching bands, golf carts etc.) to look at all presenting the Green, Purple and Gold colors of Mardi Gras.   When Mom Rindo was still living in MS, she sent us several King Cakes which are delicious with coffee.  Our kids always hunted for the plastic baby buried within the cake.  I think it means the receipent must have the next party. 

KING CAKE



2003 DEBBIE ALL DRESSED UP AT THE PARADE. 



2003 SARAH WITH HER BEADS. 

Back when I was working the accounting unit always hosted Ice Cream Sundaes in the afternoon on Fat Tuesday.  We brought in all kinds of ice cream, syrup and sprinkles.  The staff could make up any dish variety that they wanted.   I  can't remember what we charged but the funds went towards our Christmas luncheon.   Following this day, everyone started the dreaded diets again.


ASH WEDNESDAY:


PT again today.  The bike and then massage.  On a table, Jackie put my ankle on a tube and then pressed down on my knee cap.  Oh mama mia did that hurt.   Later She measured the bend portion of the OP knee at 98 and their aim is 110-115.  Hope we get that far.  Then she put me on the ice machine again but this time there was heat added underneath my leg.  That felt good.  Bob did some errands downtown while I was at PT.  He mailed  the income taxes to the accountant.


Ash Wednesday was always a meatless day for us.  So we had poached eggs for lunch.  I worked some on the puzzle and read a new book some.  Bob put together a tuna noodle casserole for supper.  Can you believe it?  I instructed again.  It was delicious. 


THURSDAY:
This morning we had a beautiful snow covering.  I doubt there was more than an inch or two, but it was nice and clean looking.   More predicted after midnight tonight.


Not much new, shower, lunch, nap, work on the puzzle and read. 


We needed milk so Bob went out to pick that up and stopped for roast beef on weck sandwiches for supper as our cook is at the Rochester airport waiting on Sarah, we are waiting on a text to say she has landed.


FRIDAY:
PT again, more exercises.   I keep forgeting to tell you about the skelton at Rehab ; he is all dressed up in a hoodie and shorts just like he is going to exercise!  A lttle humor!


 At home I made out some thank you cards.  We paid a couple bills.  Bob has Quicken all messed up so some day that will take some time to straighten out.  Looks like he downloaded the same expenses twice.  Oh brother!  I don't quite feel good enough to deal with it.


Spent the evening with Betsy & Sarah watching TV; until Gold Rush came on and Sarah up and left.  She had studying to do.


SATURDAY:


This week makes a full year that I have been blogging.  I can remember all the problems at first and trying to solve them all.  A special thanks to our friend Bob who helped in that category.  I have lots of feed back but very few written comments.  Most come by email.  It would be nice to have a counter on the Blog to see how many people read it and where they are from for just plain interest; that's programing which is beyond my capabilities.   When one isn't to active, photos are hard to come by but I didn't run out of words! 


On this cold Saturday my (G) nephew, Dalton, joined the Polar Bear Plunge to raise funds for Special Olympics at Geneva On the Lake in Ohio.   

DALTON JUST GOING IN.  RED SHORTS & BLUE TOP. 

The waves were so high that the Firemen had to circle the area and watch each contestant.  Congratulations to you Dalton.


SUNDAY:

STARTED THIS PUZZLE LAST SUNDAY  1000 PIECES

We have been working on this puzzle for a week now.  Today there is just a little bit more done.  It's hard! 


David & Donna picked Bob up this morning to go to Utica College for the Football Awards. 

3 GENERATIONS  DAVID, BOB, & ERIC

DAVID, ERIC & DONNA

The girls and I had lunch together and had family game time-the puzzle-ha!  That lasted about 20 minutes.  Sarah started packing and Betsy took a nap.   The girls left for the airport about 3:45, and I waited for the Daytona race.  Wouldn't ya know, it was cancelled due to rain.  It will be held tomorrow at noon; I'll bet many fans call in sick to work so they can watch it.  They must have been very upset; first time cancelled in 54 years.

This week went by fast!  I'm starting to do more in the kitchen on my own now.   Except for a dull ache;  things are looking up.

Here's hoping everyone has a good week!  Thanks for clicking in.

GOLDEN GRAM

ABSOUTLEY NO PATIENCES!

MONDAY:
So what is everyone else doing during the wee hours of the morning?  I've been walking the floors.  I have some uncomfort (pain) but I think that I'm worried about my first Physical  Therapy Appointment at GCC Physical Rehab @ 8:30 am.

We were asked to come 15 minutes early for the paperwork & registry.  After all the facts were documented, my assigned assistant measured my knees.  My operated leg is swollen.  Jackie said, we would address that first.  She brought in a machine which produces electric waves.  She set this up with paste clips and then a wrap boot.  I had to lay for 15 minutes with that working.  It was cold!  I got the chills and had them all the way home. I'm to keep my leg elevated and use ice packs more.   I go back again on Friday, and I have 5 more appointments scheduled.  I did not get to see the treadmill which is in the bottom of the swimming pool that is advertised.  
The chills pretty much wiped me out so the rest of my day was spent sleeping, doing my exercises and showering. 
TUESDAY:
Up early again.  I had my coffee until Betsy got up at 6:00am.  I can't go downstairs until someone brings the walker down, and vice versa.   Betsy helped me downstairs to watch TV so Bob can sleep.  She  instructed me on her computer so I can type while I'm propping up my feet.   Well, that didn't last long as it was to much pressure on my OP leg. 
In the afternoon, Bob drove me to the blood lab downtown as I had instructions and script to get blood work done.  I haven't a clue what that was about.   He drove to Dr. Hoy's office to drop off paperwork for temporary Handicap Parking permit.  While we were out, he treated me to McDonald's for lunch.  I guess it covered a Valentine's treat as we shared a Shamrock Shake along with our lunch.   
WEDNESDAY:
More of the same; where should I sit?  What can I do?  Try not to sleep so I can sleep at night.  Really a slow process and I don't have the patience.  My tailbone ached!  Betsy brought the ice pack.  They really must have jabbed me deep for the epidermal before surgery.  My thoughts were of Annalynn and all the Bone Marrow tests that she went thur;  how did she do it?  (So don't be a sissy Grandma)

With some instruction, Bob did the washing.  I enjoyed hearing him say, "That's work!"

 I'm having a plumbing problem, again.  Constipated!  The Colace stool softener doesn't seem to be working.  So today, we spent some time going over my meds!  I cut back on the B12, iron, and switched to Tylenol instead for Percocet.  The Skelaxin for Spasms ran out yesterday.  So hopefully all this will help.
I have been reading the book about "Steve Jobs."  My son brought it on Sunday during their visit.  I'm surprised about the description of Steve.  He wasn't nice to work with as he was a harsh fellow!    He would hear an idea from staff and call it shit and then a week later he would propose the idea as if it was his own.   Unbelievable! 

THURSDAY:
I slept a little bit better last night.  I discovered that I could lay on my stomach with my OP leg out stretched without pain.  It relives my tailbone and then I can read a book longer. 
Since everything is so slow paced now; I find myself looking for goals to complete.  For today I have to be happy with the fact that I will complete the shots to my belly of Lovenox.  It's an injection to prevent blood clots.  My stomach is all black & blue and looks like a Checkerboard.  I'm not to good at this but I'm getting it done.  Also, a scab fell off my leg where one of the drainage tubes had been.  I was so excited to see it healing!   I really feel like I'm out here all alone without seeing the Dr until a month from now.
Debbie & Annalynn came down for a visit in the evening and treated me to a box of Oliver's chocolates.  Yum!

FRIDAY:
Moving about slowly getting ready to go as we have another appointment at the Rehab Center at 10:30am.    The place was very busy.  Each attendant had at least 3 people each to direct.  They put me on a elliptical bike to warm up.  This bike had a seat and big foot pedals.  They told me to watch the guy next to me, who was peddling like a house on fire!  Right! 
I found it very cumbersome; and I felt pain every time the OP knee came back up towards me.   I peddled away AT MY PACE for the 10 minutes until the timer bell rang.  No one came to assit me so I kept peddling, may as well get my monies worth.    Then they took me to the parallel  bars and I had to STEP  over 10  fences laid out.  I couldn't do it with one foot.  I was throwing my OP leg out to the side as I have done for years going up the stairs.  NO, NO, Jackie yelled.  Lift and place, no swinging.  Okay I finally got so I could do it with two feet planted but not with a walk.   I'm sure more work is coming up on that.  Next she took me to the table and put the "ice machine-Tens" on me for 15 minutes.  I sang, I said prayers, I counted the minutes.  That thing is horrible!  So cold.  I hit that timer bell so hard when the machine went off-get me out of here!   The 45 minute appointment was over.

We drove downtown to the bank and then went for lunch.  Hungry for a good juicy cheeseburger.  Well, we should have shared one order as we couldn't finish either platter.  But it was yummy!  
In the evening, Betsy did our nails to perk me up a bit.  My friend Mo stopped by with a big box of Italian Almond Cookies which I just love.  She has a cousin in Holley with a bakery @ her home and those cookies are the best. 
She does all occasion holdiays/events.  Mary Lynn Soto @ (585) 638-6497.

www.biscottideMisiti   ITALIAN COOKIES

SATURDAY:
Well, I did something during the night that hurt my OP leg.  Tossing and turning around I would guess.  It was painful all day so I kinda sloughed off of my home exercises.  I read my Steve Jobs book while glancing at Whitney Houston's funeral.  I wanted to see Kevin Kostner and I enjoyed his speech.  I think that I'm about half way in the Jobs book (600 pages) and I beginning to see what an intellegent visionary the man was.  Brilliant! 

Bob went fishing with our son, David.  They found a place up near Waterport Dam.  They didn't catch anything but Bob found some nice scenery to take pictures.  I appreciate that David asked Bob to go and get him away from the handicap scene.  David brought me 3 puzzles to build that his MIL lent to me.  1000 pieces, so I had to lay it out on the dinning room table.  It's a winter scene and very challenging.  Now when I'm up during the wee hours I can work on that to get my mind off things.  (No Patiences) 

RUSHING WATER

DAM AREA

I JUST LOST A BIG ONE!      DAVID ADJUSTING HIS LINE

BOB FISHING

SUNDAY:
Well, I was up two times last night and then slept in.  Betsy was at our bedroom door asking if I was all right?  She was leaving for a friend's baby shower. 

DEBBIE'S DIAPER ART!

A quite morning and afternoon, doing what we feel like.  18 days out from surgery and  I can't say that I'm glad I had the surgery.  I'm hoping next week shows alot more improvement.   I'm dreaming of the sand, surf and sun as I go thur each day.  Load that motorhome and go! 

Everyone have a great week!   Thanks for clicking in.

Golden Gram 

AH, TO BE HOME!

A BEAUTIFUL SPRING BOUQUET FROM MY SISTER & FAMILY.

I would like to thank everyone for all your kindness!  I received so many cards, calls, e-mails, blogs,prayers and wishes.  The flowers are still beautiful.  I really appreciated the the McDonald's runs from my friend, Mo.  It was a long wait for coffee when they wake you at 5:00am and the trays didn't come until 8:00am.   So thank you all so much for all you did for me. 

THIS IS UNITED MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER, where the adventure started.

FOLLOWING SURGERY; THE GIRLS PUTTING THE CPM BOOT ON ME THAT BENDS THE KNEE.

FIRST TIME OUT OF BED.

Mary Lama aka "Momma Lama" stopped in to see me.  She was conducting another Joint Camp and she had a guy who didn't think he needed to sit there and listen.  She invited Bob to come down and tell the class all the "good" benefits of attending.  Bob (who loves to talk) was thrilled and he went right down.  Oh my, now to wonder what he said!

UMMC is a teaching hospital.  There were all kinds of students.  I found the male nurses to be most helpful and kind. 

DR HOY REMOVED THIS CLUNKY BANDAGE AND THE DRAINAGE TUBE FRIDAY MORNING.

B-LINE BUS RIDE TO REHAB.

Another patient and I rode the B-Line bus service from the hospital to the Nursing Home , as we found out our insurance wouldn't pay for an ambulance if it wasn't a medical emergency.  After loading us, and heading out to the first intersection, the other patients' chair started going down the isle.  She screamed!  I screamed!  The driver pulled over and came to the back and attached a floor hook to her chair.  A little excitement there.  Our ride costs us $1.50 each. 

THE GREENS.

DR HOY SIGNED HIS WORK. (RH)

17 STAPLES REMOVED 2/10/2012.

ME & MELANIE.  SHE IS THE DEPT. HEAD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY.   WONDERFUL PERSON, ALWAYS ENCOURAGING!

CINDER WELCOMES ME HOME!

That's it for now.  I'm tired!  Pictures are worth a thousand words.  I do have someone who just looks at the photos!  

 Hope you all have a good week.  Happy Valentine's Day too.

Golden Gram