Good News Week!

 Finn & I are very happy!  We both received Good News in the last two days!  Yesterday, marked two weeks since Finnigan had his TPLO surgery.  Siris requested a short video of Finn walking, taken from behind. He had been required to wear a lick sleeve over the left hind leg & a collar of shame to keep him from taking the lick sleeve off.  Well, Mr. Smarty figured out a way to get it off even with his collar on!  I worried constantly he would get to the incision.  (Contrary to popular belief, a dog licking at a wound can cause infection.)  We moved one of his beds right by ours so I could hear if he started making unusual noises.

Finn is only at the two-week mark & it's amazing how well he's doing.  Much better than me!  He won't be allowed any freedom for six-more weeks.  Butch takes him on walks several times a day.  He's made a cable system where I can attach another cable to his harness.  That gives him room to go down the hill & access a large area of the yard where he'll be able to do his duty.  Butch has been working on all the things necessary to leave the two of us on our own when he pulls out again.

Then - there's me...

Hardware~

Today marks six- weeks since my second surgery to repair the Tibial/Fibula fracture of my right leg.  Butch took us to my appointment with the surgeon & intern at UNMC yesterday.  Dr. Thomas came in & we both smiled!  She was so instrumental in overseeing my care while I was in the hospital.  The first thing she said was; "You look so much better!"  I've felt better too.  There have been some days when I didn't think I'd have the strength to endure much more.  Thankfully, with Butch's help - this mark finally came & with it, a reduction in the severity of pain.  I had marked this date during my recovery from my last injury & had hoped the timeline for this recovery would follow the same path.

Side view~

The x-ray technician had quite a time isolating the current new hardware, from all the existing hardware from the old injuries.  It was almost laughable, but it wasn't.

The results were all good!  Healing of the bones has started; everything has remained where it's supposed to be.  I will be able to start PT this week.  I was told it will be four-weeks before I can start walking with assistance.  I'm not sure how long after that I'll be able to walk on my own, but I hope not long.  Once I'm walking, I would think I'd also be driving.  My next appointment at UNMC is mid-August, unless I have an issue before then.  Dr. Siebler & Dr. Thomas both were impressed with how far I've progressed.  I can stand flat footed & am constantly working on flexibility.  I can even walk (walker assisted - with a decent stride.) 

If all goes well, both Finn & I will be enjoying our daily jaunts in the woods about the same time.  At least I hope so.  I had everything pretty much caught up when the accident happened, but with all the rain, I'm sure the weeds have taken advantage...    

Goodby July!

 The month seemed to never end.  After my third visit to Ortho NE on the 17th, with still no relief, I switched providers.  (I was coming up on two weeks of being unable to walk.)  I called MD West One & they managed to fit me in on the 19th.  (I don't know what I would have done without the help of my friends!)  The Doctor had pulled my x-rays from Ortho NE.  He drained my knee of a terrific amount of fluid & injected it.  The relief was almost instantaneous.  I could put weight on the leg immediately after the procedure & was walking three days later!  

Garden Phlox blooming~

I was so happy to be able to get outside & check things out.  The weeds were trying to take over, I had to close my eyes to that.  Seeing all the flowers doing so well, even without any care these past weeks was great.

White blooming Phlox~

My friend Doris is the one who told me how much she enjoys white blooming flowers, especially the way they can light up areas of shade.

Sharkey's Revenge~

The daylilies put on quite a show.  Sharkey must have bloomed at least ten times!  It's so brilliant against the greens.

Mighty Chestnut~

The copper-colored Mighty Chestnut I bought from Menards several years ago & now have starts from it in at least a dozen places.  Even the newest transplants are blooming.

Zinnias~ 

The Zinnias I planted from seed in April all along the east fence - are the showstoppers!  I'd planted marigolds along here for several years, but last year they didn't do as well as I'd hoped.  I decided to try Zinnias.  I planted two different varieties.  One a shorter height & another medium.  I didn't want to try anything too tall, as I worried the winds would break them down.  They look fantastic from the deck.  The butterflies & bees are on them constantly.

Naturalized Naked Ladies~

I spent hours last year, moving Naked Lady bulbs from all the places I didn't want them, out into the woods.  I planted them in batches.  A couple on the hillside & several more places along an old log further down the hill.  They have become quite the highlight!  Especially when the late afternoon sun shines through their pale pink pedals.

A huge wind & rainstorm blew through about 5:40 p.m. The day went from hot, humid & still, to straight line 80 mph wind & torrential rain.  I'd just come in from the Cabin when I heard a big bang!  I opened the front door to see a limb from the Walnut had broken off & hit the roof of the porch.

Walnut limb down~

I couldn't see any damage & it missed both my good trees & pots of flowers.  We ended up with well over a half inch of badly needed rain & kept power.  Omaha was hit much worse & over 200,000 homes are without power.  They're warning homeowners that it could be a week or more until all power is restored.

Every day, I'm improving.  No thanks at all to Ortho NE & many thanks to MD West One.  After three days of staying off my leg & icing my knee, Monday the 22nd, I took my first step in over two weeks.  I made a goal for each day.  Day one - was to walk to the Cabin.  Day two - was to drive & visit Doris.  Day three - I drove myself to mat making!  Day four - to the grocery store, etc.  This week, I started the power mower & managed to mow around the cabin!  It was all I could do to finish, but it still felt so good!  I never thought I'd say that about mowing!  

Butch will be home soon & we'll be on our way west. Grandson Mason's Celebration of Life will be held on what would have been his 23rd birthday.  It's been almost three-years since my last visit.  Thankfully, Jentry & the girls came to see us last summer.  We plan to drive & Finn is coming with us.  We will be splitting our time between the girl's homes.  It's great to have them both in WA.

Many, many thanks to Joyce for watering all my plants, Kathy for driving me to the far reaches of Omaha!  Karen for bringing me the best ice pack ever & Doris for the moral support!  I'm blessed beyond measure to have such wonderful friends.

A Winter Countryside~

 The days have been gray & foggy.  Unusual, at least for us, during the years we've been here.  Butch drove again all day yesterday.  It shortens our weekends!  Today, we went out for our usual early afternoon breakfast.  On our way back home, I asked Butch to take a road I didn't remember.

Winter Countryside~

The views are of windswept snow over harvested fields, asleep for the winter months. It's been somewhat dreary, but there's always beauty to be found.

Round Barn~

When we ended up on the road that passes this barn, I asked Butch to stop for a photo. It's one of our favorites! I'd love to know the history & year it was built.

For storing corn~

The next really beautiful old building we passed was the one above. It retains it's historic look, even if it's no longer used. Butch then mentioned another of his favorites, below.

Another beauty~

I don't think this barn is in use either, but it's well maintained & may house machinery.  

Me on the trail!

We ended up driving through Silver City.  It looked so quiet without the usual summertime hustle & bustle.  Of course who wants to leave a warm house on a day like this?  I wanted to at least visit the trail.

Walking is a wonderful thing, even if it's still work to not gimp...  115° range of motion, is considered good for functional activities.  I can peddle a stationary bike now, but can't quite make a full rotation on Speedy.  I hope, with more time on the stationary bike & the Elliptical, it will come!  I have to admit, it's been a long sixteen weeks, but forward progress is a good thing!  

Methodical~

 I can't think of another word to better describe my days & nights, which all seem to blur together...  Last week, on Thursday the first, Courtney decided we should go to the Evergreen ER & have my leg/foot checked.  My foot was totally swollen, black & blue.  When I actually thought about it - I'm amazed my ankle didn't break.  I have my Ariat boot to thank for it - I think.

Hobbling out to the car, sliding into the backseat & making the drive, was more tiring than I had imagined.  At the clinic, Courtney put me in a wheelchair to get to emergency.

Unwrapped~

Getting all the ace bandage off felt so good!  The Doctor there checked the color of my leg & foot.  The swelling could have been another bout with Compression Syndrome, but thankfully was not!  All the staff complimented me on my balance & how well I was maneuvering.  They replaced all the old ace bandaging with a new, softer product.

Today, was my two-week check-up!  I was pretty excited to go.  They had scheduled x-rays & finally, I got to see what had gone on inside.  It actually wasn't as bad as I'd prepared myself for, except when it came to removing the cotton.  The lines of staples going up both the outside & inside of my leg looked pretty horrific.  Something out of a Frankenstein movie. Too wicked to post a photo.  They'd already scabbed over.  Removing them all, took most of an hour.  My leg will never look the same...

I was happy to hear I'm healing right up!  Doctors were impressed with my progress & said I'm doing everything right.  I had to get more pills for pain.  I keep trying to cut them out - but after hours of wiggling around - end up taking one by day's end.  Usually, a couple more to try for some sleep.  I've been told I'll have another two-weeks of pain - then the worst of it will be over!  Gosh!  I look forward to that!

My upper body is getting stronger from using the walker.  My right leg - which used to be the bad one - is taking the abuse better than I expected, too.  Four-more weeks & I hope to be flying home!  A day at a time has never been easy for me - but my choices are limited.

I sit outside for a while each afternoon after lunch & watch the rabbits & squirrels.  I've used colored pencils & had fun doing a couple small drawings.  Courtney & I watch TV in the evenings - hot tea & mother/daughter time.    I never expected my Grandkids would see me this way - but they're taking it in stride!