Yesterday started out cloudy. But by mid-afternoon the rain came; a nice, slow, soaking rain. Temperatures dropped, the wind picked up & last night - the snow started.
The Cabin~
Butch had to drive the wrestlers to Sioux City, two hours north. Since they left early, he didn't have time to clear the walks. I walked out front to find ice from the rain beneath the snow, just about impossible to shovel.
Sun dropping behind the hill~
Later this afternoon, things started to drip a little. I managed to get my foot into my boot, put on gloves & decided to do what I could do. With only maybe 2-3", it had gotten wet enough to be heavy. I did our walkway (Butch had taken down the ramp last weekend!).
100% weight bearing, doesn't mean my knee is working yet. But the repair is healed & I can load the leg. It's tight, painful & I constantly try to stretch it out. My 90+ degree angle had not changed since last week. I now have PT twice a week & try to meet Doris at the Y twice a week too. I'm going to keep on keeping on - until I can get full rotation on my stationary bike & walk without a limp!
Edge of the woods~
I started down the sidewalk & worked my way over to & past the Cabin. Butch has the materials now to do the ceiling. Possibly a project for the first of the year. I have the little tree up & we go out at least a couple evenings a week.
Cabin cheer~
It was cold enough my hands were getting numb. I'll be getting out my insulated gloves next time. It feels so good to get any kind of outdoor exercise.
Cabin porch~
Crunching through the snow, this is the first year I've had clear views of the woods, with snow. Last season there were still piles of cut honeysuckle. We didn't have any snow until January.
Sunset~
With the sun so far to the south, I love watching as it moves lower over the ridge. Of course the temperature drops with it - so I gimped my way rapidly back to the warmth of the house!
The weather continues to be glorious. I would be so happy to be out on the trail riding Speedy, appreciating every minute of the ever shortening days. Alas, I've taken my walking sticks out of the closet & put them to use. I feel so much more mobile. They are much easier than pushing & lifting, the walker around.
Woods~
Thankful - I can get close to nature without leaving home. Walking in the woods, is challenging, yet so rewarding. With the sun so far to the south, the shadows stretch far across the leaf strewn ground. Tomorrow, we go see Sam Phillips, MD who will hopefully set me free of the walker. I'm now at eleven-weeks since my first surgery!
Looking east from the west end of the woods~
I was discouraged to find one of the little trees we'd planted two-years ago by the far property corner, destroyed by a deer. Broken in half, with branches on the ground, it was easy to know what had done the deed.
Santa Flag~
It's impossible not to be outside! Our weather is due to change this weekend, we'll be saying goodbye to temperatures in the 60's & I'll miss them!
Tinkle branch running clear along the Marsh~
The grass is still green, a neighbor was mowing this afternoon. Getting up & down the hill is my exercise for the day!
Nika, a year ago today, brush piles everywhere~
Nika is mad I'm not taking her with me, but I can't handle the sticks & her leash too. Soon though - we'll be back to doing our winter walks! In 2018, by later in the month, we were well into winter mode. Most of December last year was beautiful too, so it's easy to be lured into thinking winter will be mild. We're so dry, I don't think anyone will complain if we see moisture.
Thanksgiving weather in Iowa, was as close to perfect as could be imagined. Sunshine, high 40's with a light breeze. We stayed home & cooked a turkey! The house smelled wonderful & with Butch's help in the kitchen - our meal was a success.
Friday, I took down my fall decorations & started putting up the things we enjoy during the Christmas holiday. Butch was on the roof - putting the lights up! We drove over to Greenfield & Creston on Saturday. The Greenfield Christmas parade is usually the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, it was cancelled due to the virus, so there was no need for us to spend a night in town. We did enjoy shopping on the square & came home with a couple treasurers.
11-28-2020 Explorer on the square~
Even this weekend, the square was quiet. Only a few people shopping. The Grand movie theater has closed. Very sad, we enjoyed seeing a movie there so much when we visited Memorial Day of 2017.
It was late in the day by the time we visited my parents, brother's & paternal Grandparents graves at the Cemetery. The wind had picked up & it felt cold. The artificial grasses & flowers we'd put in the vases in May, had held up well to the heat of summer.
Back in Glenwood, Butch dropped me at the house, before going over to pick up Nika. Doris told me later she really thought Nika was worried I would be gone for a long time - again... I was waiting when Butch brought her in the door & she was so exited to see me home!
Sunday, we finished decorating the house. We decided not to put up the big tree, but did most of everything else. More than enough to wear me out, even with Butch's help!
11-30-2020 Our mantle~
This week has been one of firsts for me. At least a couple first's I'd been unable to do in a long time. I slid the Explorer's driver's seat all the way back & got my leg in! I drove to the YMCA. I did every piece of equipment for the upper body. There were a couple I could do with my thighs too - but I paid the price the following day... It's crazy how long it takes to build muscles up & what a short time to lose the gain... (When Butch walked into the school bus barn on Tue. morning - all the drivers asked him; "Is Connie driving?!" :-) I can't go anywhere in this town! :-)
11-2-2020 Back at it!
Not to be discouraged - I'm giving myself a couple days off. The stiffness in the knee & ankle are my biggest concerns, but Butch keeps reminding me I'm in this for months, not weeks...
Next week, I see the knee Surgeon! My local GP didn't bother to read any of the records I had Skagit Valley send his office from WA - so had sent us to the far side of Omaha to see a Ankle specialist! He was a great guy & went ahead with X-rays of both the knee & my ankle. He forwarded them over to the Surgeon I should have been sent to. They discussed my case over the phone. Dr. Phillips said everything looked GREAT! I've been allowed to put 25% of my body weight on the leg. (No, I don't know how to figure that 25%!) I will see him in person the end of next week. I'm really counting on being done with the brace & walker. At least done unless I feel I need the protection the brace offers. My walking sticks will come in handy too.
Our weather has been just stellar - so stellar - 70's! I'm at wits end... Being unable to be out doing something or riding Speedy is the pits... But - as friends have reminded me, I can sit in the sun, I'm a little more mobile & I'm Home! Doris picked me up & we went to Matt-Making this morning. Only six of us there - but it was good to see my friends.
At my first Physical Therapy appointment last week, the bend in my knee was just over 70%. Full range of motion is 130%. I was given exercises aimed at strengthening the under used muscles in my leg, above & below the knee.
Bottom of the backyard~
Today, I took the walker, now with wheels & navigated the ramp. Once at the end of the sidewalk, I went down the edge of the woods to the lower corner of the yard & the start of Tinkle Branch Trail.
Two new residents~
I'd made it down here one other time, a few days after I got home. With Butch's help - to hang the flying owl ring I'd found shopping in Duvall. This - of course had been before my injury. After I'd been hurt, I asked Courtney to go back & buy the owl hook we'd seen in the same store. It was still there & I'm so glad I bought it.
I made it all the way to the far end of the trail & the Lowlands. The sun was glinting off the red glass post cap. The woods were the driest I've ever seen them. We've had only one decent rain since I returned home. It gave us just shy of an inch of rain.
The far SW end of our property~
The leaves have dried & curled. Crunching under my feet & the walker's wheels. I stopped to give my leg a rest, before turning back. A few larger branches had come down in the winds. One I had to move to get past & up the hill to the cabin. The hill was a challenge - but I managed.
Looking south from near the cabin~
Once back up at the top, I hustled a little, knowing Butch would be home shortly to take me to this weeks PT appointment. Hum... I didn't make it, he came down the street just as I'd made it back to the sidewalk. He asked if I'd planned to do my PT before I'd done my PT?
I was very happy when the bend in my knee measured just over 80%. A decent improvement from last week. Jenny added some additional exercises. She said I should be going in three-times a week. But since I'm doing them at home, she'll settle for once. I learned it takes up to a year to recover full use of the knee & they consider a return to 120% adequate. Since my injury was so severe - it could take longer... (I did manage to get my leg into the drivers side of the Explorer, so hope I'll feel comfortable driving around town by next week.) I sit on my stationary bike & use my right leg to stretch the left knee with the pedals.
Next week, I see an Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon in Omaha - who will be handling my recovery from this point on. I'm into my eighth week - hopefully with only four to go - before I can bear weight on my leg. I'm so tired of the brace & so tired hobbling... Fingers crossed!
When told I couldn't go home for at least six-weeks, it seemed like forever. Every day, I did my level best to do everything I could to heal. Courtney went above & beyond to make me comfortable. I loved my kiss goodnight, as she tucked me in each evening. The pain always worsened at night. It was impossible to sleep - even with the CBD gummies a neighbor dropped off for me.
I'll never forget a night when the pain had me moaning. (I tried to quietly moan.) Mason woke his mother - to tell her an "animal" was making noise outside his bedroom window. :-( My injury was a Tibial Plateau Fracture level 6. Both bones in my lower leg had been shattered. This required a plate, pins & Allograph implant. It wasn't the repair that caused the majority of my pain - but Compartment Syndrome is nothing - if not nasty.
Mari Jo sent me a daily message. I so looked forward to them coming in about 4 a.m. Washington time. Joyce too, went above & beyond. Driving a two-hundred mile round-trip - twice to visit me! Doris called with updates on Nika, who stayed with her, while Butch was at work. Living with an active family, kept my spirits up as I hobbled through the days.
As Courtney & I spent our last night watching TV together, we both thought the time had gone faster than either of us had imagined. My final appointment with the Surgeon, I passed with flying colors. Courtney said his expression was shocked, as he unwrapped my leg & saw how well it was healing. He adjusted my brace to a 30-degree bend at the knee! My leg didn't know quite how to respond to that! Asking if I'd made my reservation to go home - he smiled as Courtney told him it was for the following day!
Alaska wanted me at the check-in, two-hours before flight time. Leaving the house at 6 a.m. - David drove. We were so lucky to make the trip without undue amounts of traffic. Pulling up at the Alaska curb, as Courtney helped me out, two porters came running. One grabbed my bags from Dave, the other had the wheelchair. The kids kissed me goodbye & I was on my way! TSA has a new program called; "TSA Cares". When I called, they offered a person at security to assist me. Even with my pre-check, I spent about 30-seconds getting through!
First to board the plane, I again had the entire row to myself. Good thing, since my leg took up most of the three seats! I'd paid the extra for premium class & it was worth every penny.
My heels just over the third seat.
A lady a few rows back, was also injured & terrified. She was worried about the plane flying in "bad weather". The flight attendant's assured her the pilot would only take-off if it was safe :-) (My video only appears when you view this post on a computer.)
I was just so happy to be on my way! Mid-way through - I had to visit the first-class potty. The flight attendants accompanied me. As I did the sideways shuffle with the walker, both mimicked me & we were laughing so hard! The 30% bend in my knee came in so handy. My toes were resting on the inside of the bathroom door!
Coming into land~
A lady with a wheelchair was waiting as I exited the plane. Just past security - I thought recognized a guy with a beard - standing against the wall? After two-months - finally - my Husband! The lady offered to take me all the way to the car! Butch had both suitcases, jam packed & my walker. With the Explorer's front passenger seat all the way back, my leg fit in the front!
Butch had to build a 21ft. ramp to get me in our front door! Just three steps in height, but it took 21 feet to keep the incline elevation low enough. That was still a few feet short of ADA standards. I had no problem at all navigating it. Nika was so excited to see me! I got so many kisses, I couldn't help but cry.
Sunshine came softly~
The sunshine of home felt so wonderful! I spent my first afternoon sitting out on the back deck with Nika in my lap. I have to admit, I was a little lonely that first day, home alone...
Home Sweet Home!
While I was gone, I asked our local FAA Certified drone pilot Steve Bogart, of Elevate Aerial Photos, to fly over the Home Place & take a few photos. I've always appreciated the view & perspective aerial photos provide.
Looking south~
My first physical therapy appointment was today. I have exercises to strengthen my muscles in preparation for when the leg will be weight bearing! Only five-weeks to go! My goal is to be riding by bike by April at least!
It may seem like a small thing - but today I was on the phone to Alaska Airlines. I cancelled next year's birthday flight to WA in February. I won't even have six-months under my belt by then. No, I won't be riding Farah for that decade birthday... :-( I'm totally disappointed... I just remember I will ride again!
I've scheduled my flight home, for the day after my six-week check-up! Coming in on a Thursday afternoon, will give us time to situate me at home over the weekend. Having the leg heal without complications, is my priority. I'm glad I didn't sell my stationary bike! I've adjusted my expectations too. By the time winter weather breaks, I hope to be back on Speedy & riding the trail.
Me in my home "office"~
Each day, I'm spending more time up! My leg lets me know when enough is enough. I've got a lot of flexibility back in my ankle & can stretch, rotate & move my foot without pain. All good! I'm anxious to find out when I can start physical therapy, too.
My "Caregiver" Courtney with her hands full!
Courtney has been just super! We've readjusted my brace, so it's no longer cutting into the outside of my ankle, which was creating a pain all it's own! We're getting expert at re-wrapping the leg too. I make the most of each of my trips, but can only take small items & handle the walker. Courtney ends up moving my projects from the living room, out to the kitchen table in the afternoons etc. It's so exasperating after a meal, to not be able to jump up & help with dishes. Feeling somewhat helpless is very difficult for me. I'm actually starting to get the knack of doing latch hook again! It's not as easy as I'd remembered!
Josie, Cassidy, Mason, Skyla & Grammy~
A week ago Friday, Oct. 2nd, daughter Jentry drove up from Astoria with Skyla & Josie! (I was still feeling very yucky.) They were on their way for a long vacation in the west - to include Yellowstone! It was so wonderful to see them! Grandson Ben keeps me in suspense - saying he'll visit - then not showing up. Joyce is driving up this week to see me & I'm really looking forward to that.
Butch usually calls once in the morning & in the evening to catch me up on what's going on out his way. I talk to Nika too - Butch says she does recognize my voice - but he's probably saying that to make me feel better. When he's away driving activities, Nika stays with Doris & is totally spoiled - I'm sure!
Now, I'm coming up on my third week! Half-way to going Home!
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!
