greatbear: (forearms)
Phil ([personal profile] greatbear) wrote2013-12-06 01:45 am

Some forward progress

This week has been one of mostly successes and accomplishments. Jeff took off Tuesday to haul my increasingly narrowing ass to the doc for my 2 week followup. Despite the blowout of my sutures and the resulting bleeding on par with a gunshot wound the few days prior, he said I was healing nicely, the intern pulled the remaining bits of sutures and doc set me up for physical therapy centered around traction, e-stim and strengthening. I will get those sessions scheduled starting next week. After the appointment, which was held at the Montgomery county office instead of the more local Howard offices, I took Jeff for a nice lunch, celebrating my second leaving of the house since the surgery (I managed to do some grocery shopping with Jeff a day before) and being able to get around mostly using the cane, albeit hunched over and very slow. But progress is progress. The pooches, left alone and uncrated in the house for the first time in a long time, were well behaved as we found upon returning home, so riding the crest of accomplishment we went to Lowe's and Home Depot to pick up some decorations for inside and outside the house, plus some tools and bits, and a shopping trip to the Goodwill store. Today was a trip to the Amish market in Laurel then a trip back to Home Depot for more stuff and deals and back to the Goodwill store to pick up a DVD changer I spied the day before for a good price. This was a lot of walking, albeit hanging off of shopping carts for support, but it's walking nonetheless.

I have three more days of Jeff at home with me and we will do as much as we can as well as enjoy our time together. I need to rearrange the outdoor equipment in the garage in order to have the snowblower handy and ready to go, and I have to get some other equipment put up for the winter. I am finally getting back to all the minor and major tinkering, fixing, building and other things that make me happy. I am way behind in many thing, the yard is a mess, some vehicle projects not done with boxes of parts sitting stacked in the garage, but that stuff can wait until I am far more mobile. THe yard, well, the leaves will blow away eventually. Things could be worse. I did notice the alternator in Jeff's truck is getting increasingly noisy, so I have to replace or rebuild it soon to keep him on the road. Luckily it is an easy job on his truck, no crawling underneath or digging deep into the engine compartment from above. At least the rest of the fleet is usable and I got some work done on them before being hurt.

I am anxious to get back to a normal life, but I am still not going to push it getting there. I ordered a couple new walking sticks to make getting around easier and safer. Today was the first road test for them. I shouldn't be taking taking spills on asphalt as I did a while ago. I look forward to the day I can take the dogs for a walk once again.

[identity profile] furrbear.livejournal.com 2013-12-06 09:17 am (UTC)(link)
It's nice to see an update and progress from you, Phil.

E-Stims can have such very interesting off-label uses.

[identity profile] maxauburn.livejournal.com 2013-12-06 09:44 am (UTC)(link)
You sound a bit better already! Hoping much more progress will come to you. You are strong. You've been through a lot already.

[identity profile] dan4behr.livejournal.com 2013-12-06 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I'll agree, it's good to hear you're doing better. Keep it up!

I'm reminded... I need to do some serious garage organization during my Christmas holidays!

[identity profile] mort-83.livejournal.com 2013-12-06 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Glad you're feeling better--hope it continues upward!

You mentioned rearranging the snowblower....you're not planning to use it anytime soon, are you?
Unstable + snow/ice = bad result.

Although how much snow do you get there?
Tinkering around though, will help you immensely, I gather that puttering around and getting projects done is a big thing for you on multiple levels.

[identity profile] ciddyguy.livejournal.com 2013-12-06 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Excellent news all around there Phil!

So glad things are continuing to improve for you and that you can get around easier and easier, especially now that you can and will be regaining muscle mass, at least enough to make you stable again.

Enjoy your time with Jeff, and BE CAREFUL when you get the snow blower where you, or preferably Jeff can get to it easily and safely, should you need it as I know y'all can get plenty of snow sometimes.

Hugs!

[identity profile] theoctothorpe.livejournal.com 2013-12-06 03:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Sounds like things are looking up!

jkusters: John's Face (Default)

[personal profile] jkusters 2013-12-06 07:47 pm (UTC)(link)
Congrats on the several good days of progress. Looking forward to more!
ext_173199: (Kermit Gone Wild)

[identity profile] furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com 2013-12-07 02:33 am (UTC)(link)
So VERY glad to hear of the positive progress!

Happy tinkering, puttering, fixing and whatnot, as you find yourself able. ;)

[identity profile] mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com 2013-12-07 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
I'm relieved to hear good news for you. Progress - what a lovely word! Continue to take good care of yourself, my friend, and thank you again for your kindness following mom's death.

[identity profile] redmoonriver.livejournal.com 2013-12-07 06:44 am (UTC)(link)
Yay for progress! *HUGS*

[identity profile] tbrough.livejournal.com 2013-12-09 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Hoping that the healing continues unhindered.