I may repeat a few things just bear with me is all. I remember driving out east to the cigar lounge, no not for a cigar. To see a pal that works there. Met a new employee, found out my friends brother had passed, not unexpectedly. It was still a nice 20 mile drive, one of the longest during my recovery.
I remember getting a little bored with my walk around town, but kept going. I hadn't fought to get my life back so I could just waste away. I was feeling pretty good. Called people, bill collectors and such. Listening to my sister in her misery.
Overall it was nice and I was making sure to enjoy. I think in the news we first started to hear about tropical storm Irene.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Savoring the moments
I was thoroughly enjoying my freedom once again. It was a sheer delight. I made sure not to waste this time. I can still remember being imprisoned while recovering from my first OPH surgeries. They were all winter time recoveries. Talk about stir crazy. Hell I even looked forward to going back to school back then.
Now as an adult I knew how precious stuff in general was, and that included time. Funny you know they say time gets shorter as we grow older. I think we just become more aware of it all. We date things by certain things. Holidays, birthdays, yes even paychecks. When you are young it is all still so fresh and you've so little to actually do, you have more time. So let's blame responsibility? That's another discussion.
As August progressed I was feeling better. My fingers on my right hand still numb. I was not overly testing my limits. Adoring the morning walks, the summer sounds, the taste of it all. I had also stopped staring straight down as I now strolled. I did, however, keep a watchful eye on that rock. It was going to move one day.
Walking in town was wonderful. Up the street and back down to the bakery. Home for that delicious warm brew. Now unfortunately a small piece of my afternoon was taken up by my sister. Brought her lunch from the deli and such. Heard the complaints, which I assured her only meant she was getting better.
I wasn't napping in the afternoon with any frequency. You know I just realized I may have left some important items out. Must remember in the next post.
Now as an adult I knew how precious stuff in general was, and that included time. Funny you know they say time gets shorter as we grow older. I think we just become more aware of it all. We date things by certain things. Holidays, birthdays, yes even paychecks. When you are young it is all still so fresh and you've so little to actually do, you have more time. So let's blame responsibility? That's another discussion.
As August progressed I was feeling better. My fingers on my right hand still numb. I was not overly testing my limits. Adoring the morning walks, the summer sounds, the taste of it all. I had also stopped staring straight down as I now strolled. I did, however, keep a watchful eye on that rock. It was going to move one day.
Walking in town was wonderful. Up the street and back down to the bakery. Home for that delicious warm brew. Now unfortunately a small piece of my afternoon was taken up by my sister. Brought her lunch from the deli and such. Heard the complaints, which I assured her only meant she was getting better.
I wasn't napping in the afternoon with any frequency. You know I just realized I may have left some important items out. Must remember in the next post.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Pattern sets in.
With my new mobility I had a new pattern. That was to visit my sister and bring her lunch from the deli. Not overly exciting. Got to hear her complain and say how she was going to change her life again. No more smoking, excercise, all that crap. She also had to endure a hellish ride back to the surgeon via ambulette so her surgeon could remove staples. She was in pain and crying, he told her to not be such a baby. Oh this guy was such a prick.
Still walking and taking time to enjoy the time off. Knew it would not come again like this. Saw neighbors here and there. Paid bills, called insurance and stuff. I wasn't sleeping as much either, I was happy about that.
By now my right hand, remember the finger numbness, was much improved. The left was still rather numb. I was able to do little things. At some point my brother in law had decided that it was better to drink 6-9 beers a night rather than kill an 18 pack over the weekend. Yeah I never saw the logic there either. Just a point to let you know I was very alone in my recovery.
My sister really lost it in the rehab. I would get hysterical calls from rehab how she couldn't take it there anymore. I tried to do my best, but it was for her own good. At one point she felt that it would be a good idea if she came home and just went there for rehab. Not sure she was rational. It endured.
Weekends were spent visiting. Think brother in law took the dog up to see her once. She was still bleeding a bit. Visit went well enough. It was a toll on her and credit must be paid. It was during those visits I realized she was smoking again. Sorry but what assholes. Anyway.
Still walking and taking time to enjoy the time off. Knew it would not come again like this. Saw neighbors here and there. Paid bills, called insurance and stuff. I wasn't sleeping as much either, I was happy about that.
By now my right hand, remember the finger numbness, was much improved. The left was still rather numb. I was able to do little things. At some point my brother in law had decided that it was better to drink 6-9 beers a night rather than kill an 18 pack over the weekend. Yeah I never saw the logic there either. Just a point to let you know I was very alone in my recovery.
My sister really lost it in the rehab. I would get hysterical calls from rehab how she couldn't take it there anymore. I tried to do my best, but it was for her own good. At one point she felt that it would be a good idea if she came home and just went there for rehab. Not sure she was rational. It endured.
Weekends were spent visiting. Think brother in law took the dog up to see her once. She was still bleeding a bit. Visit went well enough. It was a toll on her and credit must be paid. It was during those visits I realized she was smoking again. Sorry but what assholes. Anyway.
First social event
Apparently my grandfather's wife had passed. I am going to treat it blandly on all occasions because it is a lot of family stuff. I received the call from my Uncles' wife. They live around the corner. Sad news of course. This woman wasn't my grandmother, but the woman that my grandfather married a year after her death. Long history and stuff. Also long history with my Uncle, grandfathers son, his only child with my grandmother. She had 2 other children, one of which was my mom, from her first marriage. Never met him, died when my mom was 2.
I spoke with my sister and of course I should go. Was a far drive. Called the funeral parlor and bought flowers from where they recommended. In fact all the flowers for the funeral were from there. I would make the afternoon wake.
Was about a 45 minute drive from home. Had directions. Listening to sports station en route. They were interrupted. New York had experienced an earthquake. Not overly violent, but not a usual occurrence here. I've never heard sports radio get interrupted before or since.
Got a little lost, recovered and made the funeral parlor. Nice lay out, small turn out. Family stuff. Was a little conversation about the earthquake. No one inside had felt it. One cousin was in her car in the lot and did feel it. Was asked if I'd be making the service and burial the next day. Of course I said I would.
Drove home and reported to my sister in the rehab center. She truly hated the place, I couldn't blame her. Have I covered this? If so skip the next paragraph and maybe the one after.
Physical therapy rehabs seem to be done in nursing homes. Rather depressing. You have people trying to get better and people that, well, face it, it's a nursing home. The food was horrible. Rooms painted a heinous shade of blue. People always in the hallways, many moaning and delirious. My sister was outside of a nursing station, so that was a big congregating spot. Okay enough there, you can tell why she hated it. Did I mention the food? I remember one time looking at the tray, reading what it was supposed to be. Unrecognizable slop. In fact my friends mom was there, she passed before I had clearance to drive or leave house. She also lamented about the food at the same place. Nice woman, great cook.
Okay it's safe background covered.
My sister said I had to go to the burial, I said of course. Back to funeral home, drive caravan style to cemetary and agreed to go to the lunceon. It was at a family buffet style chinesse restaurant. Was allright. Really wish I'd had more time with my grandfather. Apparently his wife was in hospital for an entire year. No one told us. Still can't get a hold of him. Uncle makes claims. Like I said family stuff. That covers it.
I spoke with my sister and of course I should go. Was a far drive. Called the funeral parlor and bought flowers from where they recommended. In fact all the flowers for the funeral were from there. I would make the afternoon wake.
Was about a 45 minute drive from home. Had directions. Listening to sports station en route. They were interrupted. New York had experienced an earthquake. Not overly violent, but not a usual occurrence here. I've never heard sports radio get interrupted before or since.
Got a little lost, recovered and made the funeral parlor. Nice lay out, small turn out. Family stuff. Was a little conversation about the earthquake. No one inside had felt it. One cousin was in her car in the lot and did feel it. Was asked if I'd be making the service and burial the next day. Of course I said I would.
Drove home and reported to my sister in the rehab center. She truly hated the place, I couldn't blame her. Have I covered this? If so skip the next paragraph and maybe the one after.
Physical therapy rehabs seem to be done in nursing homes. Rather depressing. You have people trying to get better and people that, well, face it, it's a nursing home. The food was horrible. Rooms painted a heinous shade of blue. People always in the hallways, many moaning and delirious. My sister was outside of a nursing station, so that was a big congregating spot. Okay enough there, you can tell why she hated it. Did I mention the food? I remember one time looking at the tray, reading what it was supposed to be. Unrecognizable slop. In fact my friends mom was there, she passed before I had clearance to drive or leave house. She also lamented about the food at the same place. Nice woman, great cook.
Okay it's safe background covered.
My sister said I had to go to the burial, I said of course. Back to funeral home, drive caravan style to cemetary and agreed to go to the lunceon. It was at a family buffet style chinesse restaurant. Was allright. Really wish I'd had more time with my grandfather. Apparently his wife was in hospital for an entire year. No one told us. Still can't get a hold of him. Uncle makes claims. Like I said family stuff. That covers it.
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