A week of normal

This has been the best week so far for me. I won't hash over all the gory details of how tough the last year has been. But basically it's been a lot of limitations. I've had some small bits of normal the last week and it's just been fantastic. Earlier in the week I went out for dinner for the first time in about a year. Mike and I went to Baton Rouge and had ribs. Yum! And then one night we went to see a movie. Conan the Barbarian. Lots of fun and once again, the movie was the first I'd been to in almost  a year. And finally, the biggest news of all. I drove for the first time today. Just a little jaunt to Tim's for tea and a bagel, but it was a wonderful taste of freedom. And again, last September was the last time I drove.  So it's been a fantastic week, with only more wonderful stuff to look forward to.

Coming up on year number 2

So I can't believe Mike and I are going to have our second anniversary in a couple of weeks. Wow, does time fly. We're still as happy as the day we said "we do" even though we've had a lot of ups and downs thanks to my health (or lack thereof some days). I had planned on following up with friends from the wedding that I hadn't seen in a while and maintain more contact, but that's fallen by the wayside. Maybe next year.

We don't have any big plans what with me having lots of appointments but it's still going to be a great day. Maybe we can watch the video. Mom watches it a lot because she was sort of doped up on Tylenol due to her hip problems during the wedding. She's had the hip replaced and is doing well now.

Not much planned for the summer. Looking forward to some nice warm and sunny weather after the soggy spring. The dogs have been shaved and as usual look hilarious. They look like rubber chickens when they are shaved down. They're much more comfortable though. Sonny had his annual heart exam and he is doing extremely well. No progression of his heart disease. That fills me with relief. He'll be whining for years to come hopefully.

Happy Easter

I haven't had much to say lately but I figured I'd send out a quick greeting. My leg has now healed nicely and I am now only getting the homecare nurse once per week to change the picc line dressing. Improvements are wonderful!

Not doing much this weekend. Just enjoying some down time, do a bit of grocery shopping, make some phone calls, and watch some tv. Had a blast watching the movie Red. There's nothing quite like Helen Mirren with a machine gun.

Happy to be home

So after nearly 6 months in exile, I've now been home for a bit over a week. Since last I posted, I've been in the hospital 6 times and recuperated at Mom's because I couldn't handle stairs. Unfortunately during one of my visits to the ER, they tried to put in a femoral line which went awry. After all was said and done I needed emergency surgery to repair the artery and ended up with a vac dressing (a cool and helpful suction pump attached to a special dressing that aids in healing) for 4 months. I also ended up full of blood clots after a resident forgot to order heparin during one of my stays. I'm now a thrombosis patient.

Thank goodness for the picc line because I am getting blood drawn once or twice per week and my poor veins wouldn't be able to stand it. The good news is that I can now climb stairs again although I am still fairly weak. I'm getting stronger though, every day. The puppies are home now too. Sonny was at Mom's with me the last little while, but we had to put Wiska back in the kennel because he was being a pest and driving Sonny nuts.

Special thanks to so many excellent docs and nurses (hospital and home care) who have taken such good care of me with all the wounds and dressings. And to Mom too for taking such good care of me while I was out at her place. I couldn't have recuperated as well as I have without her. I'm still not driving as I don't quite trust the strength in my right leg, so Mom is still driving me everywhere. Dad pitches in when necessary and he is great about cancelling stuff when there's a conflict. Thanks Pop. I can't wait until I get my wheels back though. I really miss driving. It gives you a sense of freedom that you don't really appreciate until you are dependent. I can't complain though - I like the company.