by Judy Handley | Jan 22, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 22: Continuing the Recovery
Date: Monday, January 22, 2024
Weather: Sunny, Finally Above Freezing; High Temp 37, Low 32 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth MA
My struggles these days are small ones, still challenging. Remembering to never bend or twist is a challenge. And remembering to always have my feet up when sitting, have them raised above my heart level when lying down, and constantly changing to a new cold pad on my back can also be challenging. I have not found a way to sit at my computer and have my feet elevated, thus the delayed logs. But we are working on these things and it’s beginning to feel like a full-time job! But I have plenty of help. Jane took me to the grocery store to pick up a few items but mostly to walk this morning before she left. Then Heather stopped by to take me for my first walk outside. We did a quarter of a mile and it felt good. Then she fixed lunch for me. She returned on her way home from work with the intention to go with me on another walk. But instead, she worked on the new medication list. I then went home with her as it was almost time to go to the movie. Last night I invited Sam and his brothers to go see The Boys in the Boat and tonight was the only night with nothing scheduled. But when I got there, Sam was deep into homework. We will try again on the weekend. Dinner was delivered by a book group member and tonight Jane is back to spend one more night to make sure I can get the compression stockings off and on. Another day in the life.
by Judy Handley | Jan 21, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 21: Happy Birthday, Sam!
Date: Sunday, January 21, 2024
Weather: Sunny and Cold; High Temp 26, Low 19 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth MA
Midge and I got up and had a leisurely morning. We had Lynda’s spinach pie for breakfast but decided not to wrestle with putting compression stockings on. Yesterday, after noticing some swelling in my feet, Heather helped me put on a pair of compression stockings I had from my knee surgery. Last night, after Midge went to bed, I went to take off the compression stockings and was shocked at the amount of swelling. It was enough to really scare me, so I decided I would call the doctor in the morning as swelling of the legs is not something that is expected with this surgery.
But it was actually early afternoon before I called the doctor. I got a call back very quickly from the doctor on call and he said I needed to go to the ER. He explained that we needed to eliminate a blood clot as the cause, so there was no arguing the point. I spent the afternoon in the ER and all is well, no apparent cause for the swelling. But this adds yet another medicine to the list, Lasix to remove the fluid. Sam picked me up from the hospital, so I got my first chance at wishing him a happy birthday. We went to the drug store and then once home, I took a quick nap. Forty-five minutes later Sam returned to take me to the Goldstone’s for dinner. Sam had requested smoked ribs,
coleslaw, and angel food cake, and that is what he got. He REALLY enjoyed the ribs and coleslaw, and then the angel food cake.
Happy 17th to Sam!
by Judy Handley | Jan 20, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 20: Shift Changes and Food Deliveries
Date: Saturday, January 20, 2024
Weather: Overcast; High Temp 23, Low 15 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth MA
When I read the title I gave to this log, it sounds like we are setting up a business here. And it kind of feels like it, too. Heather has been on full time duty here since Wednesday, the day of my surgery, and was relieved by Midge Frieswyk this afternoon. So that was the shift change. The food deliveries began at noon with vegetable soup from one friend and brownies from another. Then for dinner a friend arrived with chicken soup and raspberries brownies minus the chocolate, spinach bread, and flowers. Then there was a delivery from my wine group. It was wine and chocolate. I am not going to starve, but I might gain a few pounds! Midge and I spent the evening watching Nyad. It was my second time to watch it, but I was glad to watch it a second time. The message of the movie is to never give up. As I go through this recovery, I will hear that mantra ringing in my ears.
by Judy Handley | Jan 19, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 19: A Quiet Day with a Little Snow
Date: Friday, January 19, 2024
Weather: Overcast with a Little Snow; High Temp 31, Low 15 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth MA
It was a quiet day here inside and out. Quiet inside because of restricted activity due to the back surgery, and quiet outside because of the blanket of snow. Ollie came to visit and to spend the night as both his brothers were leaving very early this morning to go on a high school ski trip. But Ollie’s arrival only changed our level of activity from almost nothing to couch potato level—watching The Mandalorian.
by Judy Handley | Jan 18, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 18: The Day After Surgery
Date: Thursday, January 18, 2024
Weather: Mostly Sunny; High Temp 33, Low 25 degrees F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth MA
Tis the day after back surgery and all is well. It is a little scary that things are going so well with no pain. I am on Oxycodone, Tylenol, and a muscle relaxant. Tonight, I am starting to reduce the amount of oxycodone slowly, but will stay on the lowest amount until next Thursday. Standing for too long does cause minor discomfort, so I just have to keep juggling walking, sitting, standing, and lying down.
The thing I miss the most is my forays outside with Shadow. I love being with him, but I also love observing the weather up close. Looking out the window just does not do it for me. And not having Shadow to cuddle makes me lonely. But Dr. Heather is doing a great job. It is so special to be able to spend so much time together. She does work all day, but I get to see her during breaks and lunch.
Tonight, we watched Killers of the Flower Moon. I had already seen it once, but she had not. And since she knew it was a movie she would not convince her whole family to watch and I had mixed reactions to the movie, I was interesting in watching it a second time.
Heather and I did not hear my phone ring while we were watching the movie, so we missed a call from my dining in group. They were meeting tonight and wanted to connect. Someone will bring a taste of tonight’s dinner for Heather and I to have tomorrow night. I am told it is a hearty chili with corn bread and salad. Yummy.
Tomorrow we are supposed to get snow all day, but no real accumulation. I do like watching it snow through the windows, so that will be a highlight of my day.
by Judy Handley | Jan 17, 2024 | 2024 Life Logs |
2024 Life Logs, Day 17: Surgery Day
Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Weather: Sunny and Cold; High Temp 27 Low 20 F
Location: At Home on Lakeview Avenue, Falmouth MA
54321. The day finally came, and everything was perfect. Heather arrived at 7:30 am and walked Shadow while I took that second required shower with the antibacterial soap and got ready. We left Shadow here to be picked up later by Jed and headed to the Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. I was checked in and taken pack to the pre-op area where I was greeted by two of Heather’s friends who were on duty. I recognized one and she was actually my prep nurse which made things so personal, and the other was Melissa Keefe, Heather and Jed’s neighbor for years until they moved to Grasmere. Long story short, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect experience which I will write more about tomorrow night. I was out of surgery in one hour instead of two, and ready to head home by mid-afternoon as Dr. Papavasiliou decided that I would be more comfortable going home. I had no pain and still do not, but I am on pain meds. I can stand up straight and walk without support. I know this is the honeymoon period, but I am enjoying every minute of it. It is just so wonderful to be able to walk without pain. I made Heather go home to spend some time with Jed and the boys while I promised to sit still until she returned. We then had dinner and watched a movie, American Symphony. Wonderful. I will write more about that tomorrow night as well.
Thanks to so many of you who sent texts to me today. Wonderful day! Wonderful friends!
