Happy day with good news

Friends, I had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon today, and I cannot tell you how anxious I was about it. I had so many warnings about dire consequences if I put weight on my broken ankle at all. There are of course instances where you can’t help but put a little weight on it, like the night I nearly fell between my walker and the bed and decided it was best to use the foot instead of ending up on the floor.

So please rejoice with me that the doctor said “it’s not any worse.” No, he didn’t mention healing, etc., but he’s apparently not an effusive person. I thought this was the best I could hope for, couple with his prescription to continue what I’ve been doing for three weeks and then go back to see him.

So tonight, I breathed a huge sigh of relief and a celebratory dinner—meatloaf, green beans, and mashed potatoes with cream gravy. I’ve been eating light—tuna salad, etc.—but tonight I found myself hungry. Probably a good sign.

That’s all, folks. It’s my good news of the day.

Construction starts--big doings at my house

 It’s been months—early February, I think—since we applied for a building permit to remodel the garage apartment. Since then, people continually ask when we’re beginning construction. Today I can officially say construction has begun! Once again I wanted a celebration, but it wasn’t. When I woke up this morning, Jordan told me there were already workmen out back. And soon there was a swarm of them—carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and I don’t know who else.

Jordan inspected before she went to work and said they’d already made a mess. Tonight, she said, “Just don’t go out there.” The electrician had dug a trench across the yard to bury wires. She is really enjoying this process and has become sort of an assistant contractor. She informed me tonight that she and Lewis are on the same page—but they both consult with me, so all is well.

Jacob would like to be an assistant contractor—he went out to inspect when he got home from golf camp and came back to announce, “They’re all crazy out there.”

I doubt I can post pictures every day, but here are some demolition and exterior pictures.

 





Cottage as seen from my deck



Driveway first day, with trash

Jordan and Lewis celebrating

The other highlight of my day—maybe that’s the wrong word—was an MRI on my foot. I didn’t anticipate any unpleasantness, since I was sure this would be foot-first rather than a head-in procedure, and it was. But it wasn’t long before my foot began to ache, my butt hurt, and I was cold, even with the light blanket provided. The technician would come on my earphones and tell me how long the next series of sounds would last—seemed interminable, but I wasn’t about to cry “Uncle” once I was halfway into the procedure.

I’m truly hoping that this is the first step to recovery. I thought the foot was better today, but when I had to walk several feet from car to walker and then into the MRI room because the metal walker can’t go near the magnetic beast, I decided it may not be better. It sure hurts. My mind goes wild imagining the next course of action—orthopedic specialist? Who knows? Not surgery I hope. But I guess my best course is to continue trying to be patient. Glad to report that after a sleepless night, my disposition and spirits have improved.

 

 

Pain and a discovery

 This morning I wrote to my doctor that I was in incredible pain with my ankle. Of course I don’t expect to hear until tomorrow. But I could barely hobble around here with my walker and called Jordan for help. Then I discovered something—I can ride my walker around the house, taking all stress off my ankle. I have to ride it backwards, because that’s how it knows to steer but I know this house well enough that’s no problem—except for an occasional bump here and there. I think it feels better already simply because I haven’t stressed it all day. But I’m still leery about getting up and sitting down. Am at my desk in the walker now—why change chairs when I don’t have to?  A little uncomfortable but not bad.

Jordan came and fixed me lunch—cottage cheese and wine—and came back tonight with friends in tow to scramble me a couple of eggs. She and Jacob will come back to spend the night—I have all kinds of guilt about this, but she brushes it off, says Christian is glad to sleep late in the morning undisturbed.

And that, folks, was my day—trying not to have to stand up, being cautious when I did, checking emails and Facebook and finally scratching the surface of the blog book I want to do. Actually a good day. I have two books left to read for the Sarton competition, and the deadline is fast upon us, so that’s my project for tonight. I’m reading a novel with a background deep in the Roman Catholic tradition and yet one that is full of humor. Not far into it, but I’m enjoying it.

As always. Facebook astounds me, with people leaping to unsupported conclusions. I don’t know how many people have criticized President Obama for apologizing to Japan for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The only problem is it was very clear he offered sympathy for their suffering but no apology.  But these are the same people who will damn him no matter what he does.

And then there’s that awful tragedy of the lowland gorilla and the child who slipped into his enclosure. I won’t even begin to take sides, because so many others have. But they don’t seem to realize every story has multiple components. Many have condemned the parents’ for not watching their child; others have damned the zoo for weak protection. And everyone is so convinced that their interpretation of the event is correct—yet I think I’ve only read two reports from people who were on-site witnesses. The whole thing was a catastrophe, and blame lies in many directions. I really resent the posts that personify the gorilla, having him say, “I don’t know why they killed me. I was taking better care of that child than his own mother.”

Memorial Day has come and gone for another year. I learned something this year—Memorial Day honors those who died in service of their country; Veterans Day honors all who have served. Let us never forget to honor both days. We have a great country, and no, Donald Trump we don’t need you to bring us back to greatness—we’re there, albeit with many issues and problems that one hopes a new Congress with address without the discord of the past eight years.