Tuesday, April 15, 2014

8 weeks of R&R

Remember Sunday and what a beautiful day?  We finished the fence around the asparagus and still had enough energy and desire to take our favorite walk up "Kirk's Valley", it was a perfect walk.  We found the leeks are just right for the digging and with the leaves of trees and bushes not yet out we could see forever on in the valley and on the hills.  Now not to be sentimental or complain it was my last walk until late summer.  At least August is my goal, sooner would be great,  later will be what is meant to be.

When we got back from the walk I was going down stairs and my left heel slid off the step causing it to slam down to the second step.  There was no doubt in that second of time it was broke and bad.  Dick and Jim put me in a chair and carried me to the car, no way did I need an ambulance.  By the time I went one mile holding my leg I knew the ambulance should be called.  Plus Amber told me it would be put in an air splint with less movement.  Living in our area is a huge asset, the first thing Amber said when the ambulance got there was, "look mom it's Ricky".  Blessing, we have been friends since growing up together on the Horse Run Rd.  Josh Antonioli was another welcome face, his dad and I had worked together at Tommy Clark's Gas Station in our younger years.  Familiar trusting men, what more could a gal ask for in time of need and I needed them!
Once at the OGH they confirmed what I already knew and sent me on to ECMC.   This place gets a gold star and every person that I have come in contact with.  Not familiar people or place but treated me with respect and very attentive to me and my family. Rebecca, the RN in the emergency room started the line of great nurses I had.  She was the calmer of the uncharted water we were in.  Dr. Victor Marwim was the Orthopedic Surgeon that was called in, he repositioned the bones and put the dislocated ankle back in.  Not easy to do but he did a great job to get me ready for surgery and Dr. Mark Anders that did  surgery was pleased with the alignment.  David was the D'youville RN student nurse I had after surgery, he is ready for his career, excellent Navy Veteran.   The night RN, Beth and I  had some wonderful talks and her caring nursing skills were tops.  She just stopped in to wish me well and say how much she enjoyed me, made my morning.  The day RN is Abbey, she is equally as wonderful and stopped to say she would be in soon to help me get ready to discharge.  She was stopping for a second to see how surgery went the night before.  I said,  "how could it not be good, I had 3 very handsome and personable, kind surgeons.  These professionals have really proven what good caring people are in the medical field.  I was lucky to have these people...they like to talk as much as I do!

So here is is, a broken tibia, fibula and dislocated ankle joint, all fixed and in place with 2 plates and screws.  The pain is 99% better than when it happened which everyone is amazed.  Morphine last night at 9 pm just in case.  No pain no more meds..

Am I looking forward to being benched for a few months, of course not but it's a challenge that I will face head on every day and get back to the "pep in my step".  This is nothing compared to others heartaches and that is what makes us all stronger to carry on.  You can be doom and gloom or look at what will and can prevail,  Remember I mentioned  can't and won't, this is an "I can" but I still won't touch a snake or like them ;)

I am so blessed with my family and the "big n tall" guy I live with.  If I could have taken the hurt and worry from him that second I surely would have.  It was not good to look at but he held up.  It's always hard on the loved ones that feel helpless because there really us nothing they can do physically but mentally can be the rock.  Amber, Jim and Kamrie never left me.  Kent and Pam helped with our animals.  The boys called hourly to keep tabs on happenings.  Another tough position, living afar.

My blog will have a new twist, I will be schooling Dick on cooking and cleaning.  Tomorrow he will do the beef roast that was suppose to be Monday's supper.  This going to get very interesting.  How much bossing and instructions will he be able to take?  I say 3 days and it will get ouchy around Cook'n by the Creek!