Long Week

Sorry for the late update, but the past week was a bit busy.

Not that it started out well at all. Sick for about 5 days to the point that I couldn’t really eat anything. Means that I had to miss the Saint of Mt. St. Carmel celebration and fireworks on the 16th. No clue if its a real thing but its what we all call it.

On Wednesday I left with Katie to go to the beach house since I didn’t have a doctors appointment for once. It was just Katie, me, and her friend Becca...so nice.

No dogs.

No cars.

Just the ocean.

The breeze.

Just perfect.

So yes, I was at the beach. Thursday Katie had to work and I got to sit outside and tan a bit. That night after dinner we went out to The Show Place, an ice cream parlor actually. You order ice creams named after different musicals and someone from every table has to sing to get their ice cream and if you don’t order anything then you get shamed by the whole room.

Then Friday we all left and returned home after Katie got back from work. Everyone else was down at Cape May for the 4H fair. Happens every year and we go for the puppy group. It also happens to always run during a heat wave. 

I didn’t go this year, not that I was too upset about that. Saturday was the last day for it and when everyone else left for the fair Mom and I stayed home for a relaxing night.

Not that it lasted long.

Sunday was another crazy day. Mom had a couple of work people over and Dad had the puppy group over. In short it was another pool party. The weather was nice and apparently the water was very warm too. There were not problems till around 5/5:30 when angry looking clouds came over us. But it still went fine.

Then that night Michael had some friends over for an Axis & Allies ‘party’ where they stay up all night eating and playing the game. I don’t see the appeal but I’m a girl.

So yes a long week.

One Foot Down, One to Go

The last week was...fine.

Monday was the last day that Amanda was going to be home. The day was spent with packing - though I didn’t do much of anything. To celebrate we went out to Longhorn o get streak since she’s going to be on a boa in the Caribbean for the next three weeks for a Marine Biology camp. After the kids left to go to the movies to see Despicable Me 2.

LOVED IT!

But that’s just me.

The next day she flew out at 5 am from Philly. She had one layover on her way and met up with the group fine. She took my cell phone since she doesn’t have one yet and has called us twice so far. (They limit the kids time on the phone to once a week.)

Wednesday was a long appointment. The wrappings for my right foot came off for good, the left foot got an X-ray - going well, stitches came off on the left foot too - that wasn’t perfect. They obviously weren’t ready to come out because he put on liquid skin and stereo-strips before wrapping it up again. Grate.

Friday night Lauren - my best friend since 5th grade - came and slept over. The next day 3 more of my friends came over and we had a pool ‘party,’ though I couldn’t swim. Instead I soaked my now un-bandaged right foot in the hot tub. 

The party went late but for the first time since the second surgery I got upstairs and was able to sleep in my bed.

Oh my goodness it felt so good.

So another week gone. Getting kind of tired of sitting all the time but guess what? I’m not going to the doctors next week. (He’s on vacation.)

So until next week!

Happy 4th of July

This past week marked one week out from the second surgery. For me that means that I can go on outings now. Therefore the beginning of the week was.

The Wednesday meant doctors which meant another long drive. The way back took forever because for many it was the start of a long weekend because for 4th of July. Fun. But there was a surprise. Two of my friends pulled up behind right behind us. They had come by for a surprise visit and I got to spend the rest of the night talking and catching up.

The next day, Thursday, was the 4th of July. Mom had brought home a wheel chair from work the day before so I could go out without too much strain. I woke up, changed, got in the car, dropped off my sister for band, and went with my dad to meet my mom for breakfast. The parade in Smithville started at 9 and had over 200 entries - it’s a small route but a loyal crowd.

I got candy!

We got out of there around 10:30 and headed home. Dinner of steak, rice, and watermelon. A true American dinner. We then played a game before everyone else went to the fireworks in Atlantic City. (I thought that the crowds would be too crazy of a wheelchair.) Mom and I stayed home and watched Independence Day and the Macy’s Firework Spectacular. Not bad in my opinion.

Friday was a bit lazy but we did go up to North Jersey to my Grandmother’s house. (Mom’s mom) Really i was just dinner and bed but the main reason for the trip was happening the next day.

So Saturday. PARTY!

The 4th of July is actually my Grandfather’s birthday and was always have a pool party at his house. It was moved to the 6th so people could come. And this year was even more important because he turned 70! 

My cousins were all there, many Aunts and Uncles, as well as my other grandparents - my Dad’s parents...his brother and wife came too. (Both sets of my grandparents actually get along great - they go on vacations together, parties together, and weddings for each others children.)

Ribs, chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, wigs, backed beans and potato salad. Now that is American.

We spent the afternoon all down by the pool enjoying the water, shade, and conversation. On top of it all my Aunt Jen (Mom’s sister) announced that she was pregnant!

She had been trying for about 9 years but after several miscarriages applied for adoption and got a baby who is now 3 (Oliver). I actually have known for a few weeks since she has been calling mom with all the medical stuff but since she is 13 weeks they’re pretty sure that she’s not going to loose the baby.

Eventually the sun got lower and everything was moved inside for dessert - large assortment of cakes. Then people started to trickle out the door and my parents and I followed suit - Mom has to work in the morning.

So there is the week for ya. A few more are planned for next week, but we’ll see.

Hope everyone had a happy 4th!

Done With Surgeries!

This week seems to have lasted forever.

The weekend was the last time I would have one good foot for a while so we made sure to see Monsters University altogether. I really loved the movie and the short that went before it. Very motion-design-y.

Monday was then a bit busy. My ’baby’ sister was in a parade in Atlantic City so we all went down. They really had no idea what spacing was so sometimes there 15 minutes between floats. After that Dad and I had to go up to PA to get to the hotel to spend the night.

Tuesday.

Last surgery. 

Again I had to be there before 6 in the morning. Had to change, get an IV, and meet the docs...fun. The anesthesiologist was different this time but very fun. This time I also got a patch so I wouldn’t get as nauseous. 

So when I woke up I wasn’t nearly as sick as I was before. We were even able to get out several hours earlier than last time.

Since then I have been very tired. The left foot, the new one operated on, only had to have one bone broken but that still means that the right foot is taking all the weight. So every day, a couple of times, I hobble over to the bathroom and try not to re-injure the right foot.

Today, Friday, was spent going to the doctors to re-wrap both feet. Of course that means that they are now a bit more sore than before but the left foot looks good at least.

I really don’t think that much is going to happen this week. Amanda went to the beach with Katie and Mike. Dad’s play opens this weekend and Mom is off vacation and has to work weekends for a while. In other words - I’m stuck. With the new operation I can bearly open doors let alone get food or down a step.

So there’s the week. Two surgeries down, 3 bones broken, a couple of screws and few dozen stitches and the feet are straight for the first time I can even remember.

Last Few Days

This last week was fairly busy in comparison to others.

It started off with Father’s Day on Sunday. To celebrate we went up to North Jersey - to my Papa Tom’s house (Dad’s family). My other grandparents came by the house too, mainly to drop off my cousin Tori. They stayed a while, but not long enough to eat - they had other plans. 

Nearly everyone else was there though; Uncle Michel, Aunt Kim, Uncle John, Aunt Marie. All the “kids” were there except for Aunt Karen (in Maryland).

It was still great though. We had a large lunch and great dessert, got to hang out, and told lots of stories.

Tori was at the house until Wednesday. She and May-Lou spent the time on the computer, in the pool, and at the beach. I spent it finding my balance without crutches and trying to put more weight on the ‘bad’ foot.

Tuesday though was my Mom’s birthday and she was heading towards the beach. I had stayed home figuring it was a better option than sitting in the house there watching them in the sand - but Michael wanted us all there. So I went down with dad when he got off of work, but of course that’s when it down pours. You can bearly see in front of you and when we get to the house the drive way is starting to flood, but I do make it inside.

Turns out the reason for dragging us all there was that Michael and Katie had made a Trivia Game with questions form Mom and Dad’s past. It was really fun, but very hard.

We only spent 2 hours there since we all had to get home that night and chose a low in the storm to escape. A pizza dinner and cake later at home called for the end of the festivities - for this year at least.

Wednesday - appointment day. Oh I hated this week. First I needed more x-rays. Not so bad. Then I had to get the old bandages off - the nurse couldn’t find the right scissors so kept pulling at the foot and tow. Finally he re-wrapped it - only to pull it all over in the opposite direction it has been going all this time. It got really sore. Two days later and it is still too sore to walk with.

Oh well.

Not much happened after that. Mom and May-Lou dropped Tori back off at home after doing a high rope challenge on Wednesday, then did open water SCUBA diving on Thursday. I was home alone that day since Katie and Michael had to work, as did Dad, and no one else could ‘watch’ me. It’s not like I was going to burn down the house...

Well there you have it. The days leading up to this, the Summer Solstice. As well as my Mom’s last weekend off and my last few days with 1 ‘good’ foot still. (Next operation is on Tuesday).

So until next time - Happy Official Start Of Summer!

Graduation Mess

Another week, another appointment.

Well, right, the week didn’t start off with the appointment. Instead it started with Katie coming back to the house. Reason? Sunday was the annul Puppy Ferry Trip from Cape May to St. Louis, Delaware. I went twice but I really don’t like boats, neither does my dad. So we stayed at home and had some bonding time while they were out.

I went walking a couple of times before my appointment on Wednesday but not too far. Just down the driveway and a little ways. Not too far, but was still a near half an hour walk. 

For course then I had another doctors visit. 

Every time I get it re-wrapped he makes sure the the big toe is more towards the inside of my foot rather than being straight so when I’m done it is straight. Well, this time he pulled it over a bit farther than before and it was really uncomfortable. Fun.

Anyway the appointment was mainly spent scheduling the next surgery. As well as the appointment for next week, and the first appointment after the surgery.

Took forever.

The only other thing that happened was at the High School.

My youngest sister Amanda is still in High School, just finished her Sophomore year. She had finals all week and graduation was on Friday after the last day. Since she’s in the band she had to go to play the music.

Last year was a mess when it started hailing and a tornado almost touched down on the field during the ceremony.

Therefore this year they were a bit more couscous.

The band had to be there at 4:30 to get ahead of the traffic from the graduates. The actual ceremony started at 6. Fifteen minutes before hand it started to drizzle, then pour, and then by 6:30 it was clear and sunny. Amanda came back a lot later since she went out to dinner with her friend before getting dropped off at home.

According to her they were able to call the names of the National Honors Society (they sit in the front and are always first). They then moved everyone inside. The graduates moved to the PAC and the parents to the gym. They read the names and the parents were allowed in to watch them throw up their hats. I would have hated to had a kid graduating that year and not get to see them walk.

Well that was the week. Nothing spectacular, but everything is going well considering.

Good Bye Meds

Another week has past. In all I am now 3 weeks out from surgery and the best thing is that I’m off all pain meds!!

Okay, you might not think its a big deal, but it really is. I’ve been off the big medicine since day 5, but was still running the risk of over-dosing on Advil ever since. So to say that I’m off all pain killers is great.

Not much else has happened. Katie and Michael came by for a few days which meant that Kramer was there too. All ways going fine. Mike goes out, we sit out in the sun a bit, Katie visits friends, we watch the dogs, same old same old.

The dogs were running around outside one day, and since they got so muddy we had to put them somewhere way from the carpet. We ended up wanting to go out to brunch so we had to put Kramer in the bathroom - the place where we normally put Nikolai when we go out. But what can we do, he was still muddy.

It wasn’t until latter in the day that I realized a problem...kind of.

Mud was all over the bathroom including inside the bath tube that I have been using in the first floor (we fixed it so I could take a shower there with my foot). Anyway, I had just gotten a new bar of soap and guess what...it was gone. No soap + mud tracks in the tub = Kramer ate the soap.

He realized the next day that you really shouldn’t eat that stuff. He was really unhappy by the end of the day, but since he had thrown up 6 times - mostly on the carpet - I couldn’t feel too bad.

So there is the week 3. Just 3 more until surgery number 2.