September 13, 2013

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

September 13, 2013

Many people no longer write letters to friends.  They may send an email or a Facebook message.  They may pick up the phone and call a friend.  All of these are good ways to stay connected in the midst of our very busy lives.  There is just something about a letter that someone sat down and wrote in their own hand writing, that makes it special to me.  I hold the paper they held, and somehow, the way they shaped the letters or underlined a word, helps me more closely feel the emotion they felt when they wrote it. 

Don't misunderstand, I LOVE emails and Facebook and use them often.  I check them first thing in the morning and last thing at night.  During this difficult year, they have been my lifeline to the outside world when I have not been able to hear verbal communications.  But going to the mailbox and pulling out a note, a card, or a letter, is special.  Today I received one of those special letters.  The lady who sent it is just a little older than I am.  It had to be God's plan that we became friends  while I was in junior high school and she was in high school.  We were total opposites, but God had a plan.

Her letter started out by thanking me for inviting her to my church where she clearly heard the gospel preached.  That was almost 55 years ago.   I remember her spending the night at my house and asking me to go through my Bible and show her EVERY verse I had underlined, and to tell her why that  verse was important to me.  I remember us waking my Mom up in the middle of the night to have Mom explain some spiritual concept better than I could.  She loved our home and my parents. 

My friend accepted Christ as her Savior just before she left for college.  Her relationship with the Lord has been often rocky over the years, but she knows God never changed or waivered, but she did.  Now, her life is fully Christ centered and she says she is so happy.  Health issues are a  problem, but God is always there.   What a treasure that letter is to me.  God knew I needed that letter today. 

My day started with an hour at the office preparing reports for the accountant.  I was able to email him some of the information and mail the rest of it before I headed to Physical Therapy.  The physical therapist again did the evaluation he had done before the last round of treatments.  The grip strength that started at 8 pounds in the damaged arm at the start of the last set of sessions and ended at 21 pounds, now is at 3 pounds.  I was not even able to lift the device alone today.  I have a long hard road ahead.  The good arm started the last session at 50 pounds and is starting this one at 48 pounds.  The general inactivity of this past summer is catching up with me.

Although today was not an actual physical therapy session, he had the therapist, David, start me on a variety of motion exercises to limber up the arm.  I am to do no lifting, pulling, or pushing with the damaged arm.  So I wondered what they could come up with to help me.  David had me squeeze the rubber "egg" and do a little squeezing on a grip strengthening device.  Then he started me working with a pulley.  I would pull the handle attached to  a rope, using my good arm, and with it, raise the left arm.  The left arm was to do no work; just go along for the ride.  He set the timer for 10 minutes.  That ten minutes seemed like at least twenty!

From there he moved me to the exercise bike to do a similar exercise.  I would use the right hand to peddle the bike while letting the left just go along for the ride.  I had to stop a couple of times during the ten minute workout.  This is hard for me.  I have always gone long and hard, and dealing with slow and painful is a real adjustment.  The other therapist, Carlos must had detected my struggle because at one time he came over and talked to me about adjusting.  I know he is right.  I just told him I want to be able to take the turkey out of the oven by Thanksgiving.  He laughed and patted my back and said they would try. 

The exercises were followed up with the heat treatment along with the electrical stimulation device.  I was exhausted when I left.  And a little discouraged.  Not totally down, because I could tell improvement in just the time I was there today, but at starting over below where I had started a couple of months ago.  I know if I do the work, it will get better.  I intend to do the work.  But...it was hard.

The little Budgie is trying to make a home in this crack in a tree since

the woodpecker wouldn't give up his home for the little guy.

When I got home, I ate a quick lunch and curled up in the recliner and slept for almost three hours.  I woke up, turned a little and slept another hour.  So maybe you see why that letter I got this afternoon meant so much to me.  My friend, over the years, would slide back into old habit patterns, and pick herself up and try again to follow God's plan.  Sometimes she would slip lower than before, but she kept going back to what she knew would give her strength (in her case, dealing spiritual strength - turning to God's Word).  In my case, what I am needing is physical strength.  Neither spiritual or physical strength comes without commitment and daily work to grow stronger.

Tonight we were treated to some outstanding physical food.  Our friend Chris Slager  sent use a very physically nourishing supper, delivered by her helpful husband Bob.  Our friends are taking good care of us, seeing that our physical needs are being met.  We are more used to being on the giving end instead of the receiving end, but the meals that have been provided are helping me not over do with my weak arm.  I can't peel a potato, slice meat, open jars or cans; even opening a Ziplock bag is a challenge.  This help is a blessing.  Thank you all.

September 12, 2013

1,000 Piece Puzzle

What Was I Thinking?

September 12, 2013

Years ago we used to work puzzles.  Our oldest three boys enjoyed puzzles.  We would sometimes set up a card table and put a puzzle on it.  Anyone could join in the fun.  It is hard to walk by a puzzle "under construction" like that without taking time to try to fit at least one piece into its proper spot.  Our youngest son did not like puzzles as much, so we got out of the habit of working them.  Over time I got rid of most of our puzzles.  When I was preparing for the second elbow surgery, I decided that a puzzle would be a good distraction since I was not going to be able to do any sewing for a while. 

Last weekend when my two oldest grand daughters went shopping with me, I selected a 1,000 piece puzzle.  It may be the first time I have done a 1,000 piece one.  My grand daughter and I have worked on this puzzle for the last couple of days.  She did not come over today.  Since the splint is off my elbow, I decided it would be a good idea to focus on the puzzle today to minimize the risk of injuring the elbow in other activities.  It is very hard to constantly remember to not use that arm to pick up anything, or to push or pull anything.  Sitting at the table working the puzzle was the safest choice.

Ron finds he can't walk by it without helping to put the puzzle together.  It is a good chance for a quick conversation.  We are enjoying the activity, but, 1,000 pieces???  We are down to about the last 70 pieces.  All sky.  All blue.  All very similar!  The puzzle has served its purpose well.  Now if I can just get those last 69 pieces in place!  (See I walked across the room and just had to add a piece.)

It was a difficult choice today, but I decided I should not try to go to the birthday breakfast for our youngest grandson.  I really wanted to be there, but the elbow is very tender and being in a restaurant adds to the risk of accidental bumps.  Ron and I decided last night it would be best for me to skip this one.  He left me sleeping when he went to the office today.  It was after 9:00 when I got up.  I had again slept well.  The arm is not very painful, just tender.

With the Cochlear Implant, I avoid having the sound processor on when my hair is wet, so I took a shower, washed, and dried my hair and then put on the sound processor.  I saw I had a text from my friend Rhonda asking if she could come visit.  The answer was, "YES!"  I was looking at a long, lonely day.  She brightened it.  She stayed a good bit of the morning and the birds in the yard entertained us as we visited.  The bright little Budgie was again trying to convince the woodpecker to let him have the new place the woodpecker was preparing.  Finally the Budgie found a small hole in  another part of the tree and spent a lot of time trying to get in it.  A Green Jay paid a visit just before Rhonda left. 

After Rhonda left, I had a late lunch and did a little Immersion Reading before returning to the puzzle.  Our friend Barbara Eriksen brought a delicious supper and there are leftovers for my lunch tomorrow.  Speaking of tomorrow, I start Physical Therapy tomorrow morning.  I have a 9:30 appointment.  I plan to go to the office for a while before going to P.T.  Then I expect to come home. 

You may get tired of hearing this, but it was so nice to sit and have a conversation with Rhonda this morning, and to HEAR her.  Rhonda has a high pitched voice and is very soft spoken.  I have had trouble hearing her for MANY years.  It is nice just to talk and listen.  It is just hard to explain how much different it is now, in one on one conversations.  I still struggle in crowds.  I wish that was easier, but the conversations with a friend are priceless.  My Cochlear Implant has restored a part of my life that I thought was gone forever. 

67 pieces to go...

September 11, 2013

My Grand Daughter Becomes My Nurse

September 11, 2013

Today the dressing from my surgery needed to be removed.  My grand daughter was not thrilled with the idea of helping, but I needed the help and she stepped up to the task and did a great job.  Part of it was with her hand across her face, peeking between her fingers, but she soon realized it wasn't too bad.  Patient and nurse are both doing fine. 

Our granddaughter again spent the day with me.  She brought her home school with her.  I prodded her through spelling.  She read her history lesson to me.  She did the math with only minor complaints, and she enjoyed her reading assignment.  There was a little more work, but all got done in a timely manner. 

She had the added nursing lesson.  She gently helped me remove all the dressings down to the last couple of layers and I told her I would finish.  She was relieved, but ended up watching and decided it was not as gross as she expected.  It appears that the doctor made the incision right on the previous one.  The incision looks good.  The 23 or so staples come out next Tuesday.

In between lessons we took puzzle breaks.  Our 1,000 piece puzzle is coming along very well.  My little nurse is also a great puzzle worker.

Several rain showers came through again today, but the birds continue to eat unless it is a downpour.  The little Budgerigar (Budgie) a.k.a. parakeet was back.  We enjoyed the birds.  They truly kept us entertained!  The Golden-Fronted Woodpecker had a discussion with the Budgie after he found it checking out the new home he has been preparing.

Basically it was a quiet day.  After my grand daughter left to go to children's choir practice at the church, I did some Immersion Reading.

September 10, 2013

Sweet Time With Helpful Grand Daughter

September 10, 2013

Last night around 11:30 I took the prescribed pain medication.  I slept all night with very little discomfort.  The main difficulty was just maneuvering in the bed.  Woke up about 8:30 and took the pain medication at 9:00.  I am not taking the full dosage and there is very little pain.  There is a lot of swelling.  I can take the bandages off at noon tomorrow, so I know that will help the swelling. 

My daughter-in-law brought my grand daughter over this morning about 10:00.  I had fixed my breakfast and eaten by then.  She is home schooled so she brought her work and we had school here today.  She helped me wash my hair first and then did her reading assignment.  With just the two of us here all day and the TV off, it was great to have normal discussions with her.  I probably asked for a few repeats, but very few,  Thanks to the Cochlear Implant! 

Next my grand daughter did her history lesson while I worked on the blog about my surgery.  I had her read part of the history lesson to me.  She is studying the Constitution.  We discussed that some and then she mixed up a fruit salad for us.  She worked on her science while I got out a jigsaw puzzle to work on.  Spelling was her next subject and we worked on that.  She is a hard worker both on her school work and things to be done for me.  She is quick to sense my needs and always offered to help. 

 

She got out the things for lunch and set the table.  I cooked the grilled cheese sandwiches, but she did the rest.  We had a good time visiting over lunch.  The afternoon was relaxing with bird watching and jewelry making for my grand daughter while I worked on the puzzle.

 

While we checked on the birds after she filled the feeders, I spotted this bird.  Later she saw two of the out there.

 

Later we watched as this Golden Fronted Woodpecker built a new home.

 





The hole is getting deeper.  I really appreciate the woodpecker building this where I have a good view.

We had another blowing rain this afternoon and we are due more of them all week!

 

Before my son came to pick up his daughter, she made some jewelry for her sister and herself.

How could my day have been any better?


September 9, 2013

Second Surgery on Elbow

Monday, September 9, 2013 

Up at 5:00 a.m. to be at the hospital by 6:30.  Surgery wasn't until about 10:00.  We were taken into Pre-Op right about 6:30.  The nurse who came to get us was the worst hospital employee I have encountered in my multiple experiences this summer.  First thing, she barely spoke English, and seemed to understand even less.  She was heavily perfumed which is bad for my allergies, then touched my hand so that I took on that scent.  I told her that was a problem, so she put on gloves, which helped.  There was just one inept action after another.  Thankfully, maybe she went off duty at 7:00 because, she was soon replaced.  From that point on, I had excellent care from some delightful hospital personnel.

The anesthesiologist earned a very high spot on my list.  His name is Richard and he was a delight early in the morning.  He was quick witted and friendly.  We went over a long list of questions and I explained the problem I have with a ridge in the top of my mouth that often gets scraped when they put a tube down my throat in surgery.  Richard did a great job of taking care to miss it.  He returned two or three times after surgery to check on me.  He and Ron joked a good bit, usually at my expense.

Richard visiting after surgery.

 

I had a couple of male nurses and two or three female nurses who were all very good.  Early in the morning Craig and Rhonda Smith came in for a visit and were able to stay a bit.  Craig led in prayer before they left.  They told Rhonda I should go to surgery around 8:30.  It was closer to 10:00 when I got my turn, but we were in a small room with a door (not just curtains) and that allowed us to just relax and read - we each had our Kindles with us. 

 

We had talked to a couple of the nurses about the sound processor for the Cochlear Implant.  As you know by now from reading my blog, when I take off the external pieces, I become deaf.  They decided Ron would keep it in the traveling case when they took me to surgery, and then they would get it from me when I went to recovery.  That worked very well.  I needed it in recovery to hear them and to encourage my brain to wake up coming out of the anesthetic. 

 

One of the male nurses did a lot of the pre-op work up and he was enjoyable and thorough.  The team back in that area worked well together and came quickly if I buzzed for them.  Dr. Olson had come in while Craig and Rhonda were there to sign his initials on the elbow where he would be doing the surgery.  Hospitals are now doing this so there is little risk of the wrong area getting the surgery.  He again went over exactly what he would be doing and asked if there were any questions.  The surgery was to remove the plate and screws in the outer bone that is now healed (after surgery he said that bone looked great), and to replace the top of the radius bone with an artificial piece where the pins had broken and that part had not healed.  This should give me full range of motion.  After surgery he said that the implanted piece is giving me full rotation, and that full extension would come with time and physical therapy. 

 

Surgery went well.  As Richard promised, I slept through it all.  The surgery took about 2 hours.  When they wheeled me in to the operating room there were several staff members all were busy going about their preparations for my surgery.  The nurse who had taken me to surgery told them all that I could not hear them, so each tried to make sure I knew what was going on.  Richard gave me a big smile and thumbs up.

 

The next conscious moments were in recovery.  It did seem hard to fight my way out of the fog, but before long I was in another of those small rooms with a door.  Ron was with me in this room.   A nurse got me up fairly soon to walk to the bathroom.  It seemed like just a few minutes and a male nurse named Tony, who was a very friendly man with a great smile, came in and asked if I was ready to go home!  My understanding and all the discussions had been that I would be kept overnight.  I was shocked and sleepy.  Dr. Olson had been in once to discuss how the surgery had gone.  Tony got him to come back in to discuss if I wanted to go home or stay where I would have to morphine pump to control the pain meds.  I asked if I could wait a couple of hours to make the decision.  That helped, and in two hours, I was ready to leave.  During this time, a sweet nurse named Corina, along with Tony, took good care of me.  Corina got me up to walk 2 or 3 times, and by 4:00 I was ready to go.

Here are Tony and Corina getting ready to load me into the wheel chair to go home.

 

I had not known at 2:00 if I would be ready to leave at 4:00 but 2 hours made a lot of difference.  I was able to have some visitors during that time.  My brother Gordon, and his wife Linda, were in town from Corpus for their 50th class reunion and stopped by for a visit.  They had to come in one at a time and Linda prayed with me before she left.  My friend Pat Lawler also came to visit.  For being at the hospital a short time, I had a lot of visitors and enjoyed every one of them.

 

As per Tony's instructions, we stopped at the drug store to leave the prescription for pain medication.  Ron brought me home and got me settled in and then returned to the drug store for the medicine.  I was ready for it.  He warmed me a bowl of broccoli  soup to have with the medication. 

 

We are all used to the hospital bracelets, but I had Ron photograph mine before he removed them for me.  The white one is the normal one,  the two red ones list all my medication allergies.  The yellow one was new for me.  It says FALL RISK.  I asked Ron why.  I thought it meant I needed a nurse to walk me to the bathroom.  He said it was because that was why I was there - I fell!  I like my answer better.

The photo brings up another thing, Dr. Olson had said I would not have a cast, so I was surprised to wake and find this and a sling.  He said it was just padding and ace bandage and that I can remove it in 48 hours.  We are to call the office today (Tuesday) to talk about physical therapy.

 

The evening was spent napping and reading.  I tried a couple of times to do this blog, but was just too sleepy and had trouble keeping the arm comfortable.  I took the next dose of pain pills at 11:00 - an hour later than I was allowed, meaning the pain was not too bad.  It was about 11:30 when I went to sleep.

September 8, 2013

Refreshing, Rainy Sunday

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Today our church was having a baby shower.  But it was not your typical baby shower.  This one was for the church nursery!  It was time to add some new toys and start replacing cribs, some of which had served well, since before our 33 year old son was a baby. 

Sunday school class and the worship service were good.  Our pastor is trying to finish up the last little bit of work to earn his Doctor's degree and so a couple of the other pastors have preached recently to give him a little break.  Today it was Terry Roberts' turn, and as always, he did a good job.  Following that, there was a baby dedication which fit in well with the nursery shower.  While preparations were going on for the baby shower, the heavens opened up and brought a heavy rain shower.  Hearing in the church service continues to be a challenge.  Even during the "greeting time" I struggled to hear.

My Mom has a bad cold and has not been out for several days.  With my surgery coming up tomorrow, I have stayed away.  If I catch a cold, the surgery would have to be postponed and I do not want to do that.  Our daughter-in-law Barb went by this afternoon to take some things to her and check on her and says she is getting a little better.  I feel like I did when she was in the hospital in February and I had to stay away because the medications I was taking to try to restore my hearing left me susceptible to infection. 

Ron and I went to the shop to pick up a couple of things before coming home for leftovers for lunch.  Then I put a ham in the oven for supper.  I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart for the things I forgot yesterday.  Ron offered to go and help, but his leg was bothering him, so I went alone.

The afternoon was spent cleaning the kitchen, gathering things I will need at the hospital for a couple of days stay, and I did some reading.  I have done some bird watching, but have not really gotten any good photos.  The hummingbirds keep flitting through the yard, but these are just the early arrivals.  It may be a week or so before the large numbers arrive. 

Late in the evening, I chatted on line via Facebook messages, with our son Bob and his wife Vickey.  It had been a few days since we had been in contact.  They have been very busy and so have we.  It was good to catch up.  The annual hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque is coming up and Bob says they see some practicing almost every morning on the way to work.  What a beautiful sight.  We hope to get out there to see it some time.  Chatting via Facebook seems to be the only successful way these days for us to converse.  I miss just chatting, but I think at the moment there are just too many pressures for me to have the patience with trying the phone.  When we have heavy rains, our phone line gets some static, so that adds to the problems.  I miss the phone.

At this point, I think I have gathered everything that needs to go with me to the hospital tomorrow morning.  I want to have the sound processor for the Cochlear Implant with me in the holding room before surgery, since without it, I am deaf, but I need to get it to my husband just before they knock me out.  I would like to have it when I get to the recovery room.  Otherwise it could be a long time before I wake up, since it will be so peaceful and quiet.  I just hope it all works out so I am able to communicate.  I am to be there promptly at 6:30, so I should probably wrap this up and try to get some sleep. 

September 7, 2013

A Birthday Breakfast to Start the Day

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Our son Jeff and his wife have established some wonderful traditions with their children.  I have probably mentioned this one before, but after their children are about 5 years old, on their birthday, the birthday child selects where they want to have breakfast and the grandparents are invited to join.  Our second oldest grandson selected Whataburger as the place to celebrate his 14th birthday.  He had a couple of friends over yesterday evening to play and at least one spent the night with them.  Since the two oldest girls had spent the night with us, we all got ready and met for a breakfast.  Most of us selected the wonderful cinnamon rolls from the menu. 

The happy, birthday boy with his new Lego set.

 

The girls went home with their family after breakfast and we went to get groceries on our way home.  Since I probably won't be driving right away after my elbow surgery, I needed to get a few things to get us through a few days.  My housekeeper had come early this morning and had much of her work done by the time we got home.  After she left, Ron and I took that cake that had been baked last night, to the birthday boy.  It needed to be refrigerated and so I had not wanted to leave it in the car this morning while we ate.

 

When we returned home, it was time to check the bird feeders and ponds.  The sparrows were thick today, but I have not seen the warblers since that one evening earlier in the week.  I hope they have not gone on south without staying around a few days.  I did notice an increase in the hummingbird activity.  There were several Ruby-throated Hummingbirds flitting through the yard off and on all afternoon.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Rain showers also flitted through the yard all afternoon.  Many of the birds continued to go to the feeders despite the rain, but it makes it difficult to get good photos of them.  Hummingbirds do like the luxury of the hummingbird feeders, but they are attracted to yards with blooming flowers and today I had several.  This is a new hibiscus we got in Houston recently.  I don't know the name of the variety, but I sure do like it.

 

Time spent in the yard was enjoyable as I listened to the various bird sounds, the sounds of water flowing on the waterfalls, and later, the heavy winds with the rain.  These are sounds that most of you take for granted.  I know many of us love the sound of falling rain, but it is extra special when you haven't heard it for a while. 

 

I was hoping for a long nap this afternoon but that never happened, although I think I got a couple of short ones.  I spent an hour or more with the Immersion Reading and then turned to other books for reading most of the evening. 

 

Our youngest son called this afternoon.  It was hard to hear him, but I think I got most of what he said (after sometimes having to have him repeat), and it was good to hear his voice and just talk to him about his very busy life.  He is working full time, doing his last semester in the seminary while working on his Master's degree, and a variety of church responsibilities.  It is rare he has time to call.

 

It has been a relaxing day and a fun day.  I don't know when our grandson got to be the tallest in the local family.  He is just under 6 feet tall and I find it hard to remember to look up when speaking to him.  What a blessing all of the grandchildren are.  And, there is another birthday to celebrate in that family this coming week.  We will party our way through the fall.