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.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Freedom with a price is still better.
I still had my time to myself. One morning, parking in the train station parking lot I decided to walk up on a side street of town. Hadn't done it before. Just one block east of Main, so no worries.
Something about a little residential street, noise, birds, shadows from the sun. Very comforting. At the end was an ecclectic little house. By that I mean it was done up with a lot of yard knick knacks, that all seemed to go together. It was a sheer delight to behold. I really wish I could describe it. This year seemed to be more reserved or I should have taken pictures.
Walking by this house was my reward as well I felt. I looked forward to it. Then back down main street, to the bakery. It was a delight. It was near the end of this week that we recieved the news that my Grandfathers wife had passed. Apparently she had been very ill, and we did not know. So we shall continue next with the wake.
Something about a little residential street, noise, birds, shadows from the sun. Very comforting. At the end was an ecclectic little house. By that I mean it was done up with a lot of yard knick knacks, that all seemed to go together. It was a sheer delight to behold. I really wish I could describe it. This year seemed to be more reserved or I should have taken pictures.
Walking by this house was my reward as well I felt. I looked forward to it. Then back down main street, to the bakery. It was a delight. It was near the end of this week that we recieved the news that my Grandfathers wife had passed. Apparently she had been very ill, and we did not know. So we shall continue next with the wake.
More general stuff
Freedom is a fond thing. Of course mine now came with a price. My sister just minites down the road now, demanded my attention. Had to bring her lunch. I will say the nursing home where she was interred for her rehab was pretty awful.
If I recall rooms were painted a baby blue, which did not seem to ease one at all. The television, well at least she had one. And a room of her own, not that that mattered either. She was just outside the nurses station. A lot of people congregated there. Literally moaning and just being miserable. It was not pleasant. I tried to remind her it wasn't permanent.
Also that she was making progress, and was getting physical therapy and such. The food was awful, so I would bring her lunch and such. So for the most part, my days for the rest of summer would consist of going to the nursing home/rehab center around lunch time. I did the best I could.
There were also many phone calls of how miserable she was and wanted to come home and such. And my brother in law decided to start drinking 6-9 beers a night. Yeah, I was home.
If I recall rooms were painted a baby blue, which did not seem to ease one at all. The television, well at least she had one. And a room of her own, not that that mattered either. She was just outside the nurses station. A lot of people congregated there. Literally moaning and just being miserable. It was not pleasant. I tried to remind her it wasn't permanent.
Also that she was making progress, and was getting physical therapy and such. The food was awful, so I would bring her lunch and such. So for the most part, my days for the rest of summer would consist of going to the nursing home/rehab center around lunch time. I did the best I could.
There were also many phone calls of how miserable she was and wanted to come home and such. And my brother in law decided to start drinking 6-9 beers a night. Yeah, I was home.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
I can drive!
Word came back, I was cleared to drive. The wonderful secretary at the surgeons office called and told me so. Apparently he usually cut 2 weeks off of what the paper work said. I was thrilled. I could drive again!
I swore not to over do it. I was very careful and stayed local the first week. Making sure not to twist the chest any more than necessary. Probably a little over cautious. My first drive? To the train station parking lot across from the bakery. My first walk was going to be in town I decided. Finished of course with a muffin.
With great trepidation I drove out about 7 in the morning. Making sure to have my cell phone with me. Ample parking. I parked and took a wistful breath. Freedom once again. I had decided to walk up and down on the main street of town.
It's not a huge town, I'll get the mileage tomorrow. It is a nice walk, not hilly. Busy with people who in August are going to work and such. Carefully I tread. Taking easy steps, breathing in, and oozing pure excitement and enjoyment. I monitored myself just to be sure not to over do it. After all it had been months since I drove.
I should mention it was also with great delight that I was able to fit between the steering wheel, not being overly bloated with water. It was a gorgeous day, promising screeching heat by noon. So I had plenty of time. The walk was one of my longest, took 40 minutes round trip. I loved it. I bragged in the bakery and sat down and ate my muffin. This was the way I wanted my life back. Doing what I wanted and not being held back by my body deteriorating. Enjoying every breath I could.
I returned home. Did my usual routines and noted no side effects of driving. I was very happy. Next week was my surgeons appointment. I wanted to ask him about that thing in my neck. Do try to remember it, it is important.
I'd been driving for about a week, taking slightly longer drives, working my way up to the 40 mile drive to the hospital, where my surgeons office was. It was with great aplomb I got there. Found parking and was very happy not to have to take a break walking from car to the elevator.
The office was very comfortable. I was told I would have to wait. I profusely thanked the secretary who helped me continue my disability. Smiled like a food kid when I finally saw the surgeon. He examined me and said I was healing well. I asked when I could be cleared for work. Of course he said, "What's the rush?". He then told me that it would be up to my cardiologist. That appointment was at the very end of August. I would have to wait. I continued to thank him and promptly forgot to ask the question about the thing in my neck.
I called my sister when it was over, she was delighted. She also told me the news that she had been approved and would probably be in rehab this week. In our town, minutes away from the house. I congratulated her and told her I was proud of her.
I swore not to over do it. I was very careful and stayed local the first week. Making sure not to twist the chest any more than necessary. Probably a little over cautious. My first drive? To the train station parking lot across from the bakery. My first walk was going to be in town I decided. Finished of course with a muffin.
With great trepidation I drove out about 7 in the morning. Making sure to have my cell phone with me. Ample parking. I parked and took a wistful breath. Freedom once again. I had decided to walk up and down on the main street of town.
It's not a huge town, I'll get the mileage tomorrow. It is a nice walk, not hilly. Busy with people who in August are going to work and such. Carefully I tread. Taking easy steps, breathing in, and oozing pure excitement and enjoyment. I monitored myself just to be sure not to over do it. After all it had been months since I drove.
I should mention it was also with great delight that I was able to fit between the steering wheel, not being overly bloated with water. It was a gorgeous day, promising screeching heat by noon. So I had plenty of time. The walk was one of my longest, took 40 minutes round trip. I loved it. I bragged in the bakery and sat down and ate my muffin. This was the way I wanted my life back. Doing what I wanted and not being held back by my body deteriorating. Enjoying every breath I could.
I returned home. Did my usual routines and noted no side effects of driving. I was very happy. Next week was my surgeons appointment. I wanted to ask him about that thing in my neck. Do try to remember it, it is important.
I'd been driving for about a week, taking slightly longer drives, working my way up to the 40 mile drive to the hospital, where my surgeons office was. It was with great aplomb I got there. Found parking and was very happy not to have to take a break walking from car to the elevator.
The office was very comfortable. I was told I would have to wait. I profusely thanked the secretary who helped me continue my disability. Smiled like a food kid when I finally saw the surgeon. He examined me and said I was healing well. I asked when I could be cleared for work. Of course he said, "What's the rush?". He then told me that it would be up to my cardiologist. That appointment was at the very end of August. I would have to wait. I continued to thank him and promptly forgot to ask the question about the thing in my neck.
I called my sister when it was over, she was delighted. She also told me the news that she had been approved and would probably be in rehab this week. In our town, minutes away from the house. I congratulated her and told her I was proud of her.
Monday, October 8, 2012
More general stuff but cohesive
We focus a little on my sister now. She was doing well. They wanted to ship her to physical rehab. The hospital she was in now was full so they were looking all over. She called me with 2 names of places, which forced me to use her computer. Let's just say she eats at her computer often and I had gross key boards.
Physical rehab can be a hard place to get into. There has to be an opening. I believe earlier I mentioned about 1 of my roommates. Needed it but took 2 steps to many.
In any case there was one about 20 minutes away from the house. I looked it up. First thing on the website, "STRONG POLICE PRESENCE" we skipped it and waited for another one. Honestly I was in no rush to get her home, I wasn't up to it yet. I was also hoping that having just survived a dangerous procedure that she would get a new lease on life and such.
I'd begun a nice routine for myself. Let my brother in law leave. Walk to bakery. Get home and devour muffin. Lay out snacks for the day. Pretty much as I recollect, grapes, 20 unsalted pretzels. Didn't lay out the parfait, that was made when I wanted it. Shower, sometimes I'd go to lie in bed wondering if I was overdoing it. Another mid morning walk, oh I adored them. I mean August, off, was a grand time to recuperate.
Lunch time, I think cartoon network, which I discovered, played the Flintstones, oh that took me back. And yes plenty of Judge shows. Okay must go, next we'll start with driving.
Physical rehab can be a hard place to get into. There has to be an opening. I believe earlier I mentioned about 1 of my roommates. Needed it but took 2 steps to many.
In any case there was one about 20 minutes away from the house. I looked it up. First thing on the website, "STRONG POLICE PRESENCE" we skipped it and waited for another one. Honestly I was in no rush to get her home, I wasn't up to it yet. I was also hoping that having just survived a dangerous procedure that she would get a new lease on life and such.
I'd begun a nice routine for myself. Let my brother in law leave. Walk to bakery. Get home and devour muffin. Lay out snacks for the day. Pretty much as I recollect, grapes, 20 unsalted pretzels. Didn't lay out the parfait, that was made when I wanted it. Shower, sometimes I'd go to lie in bed wondering if I was overdoing it. Another mid morning walk, oh I adored them. I mean August, off, was a grand time to recuperate.
Lunch time, I think cartoon network, which I discovered, played the Flintstones, oh that took me back. And yes plenty of Judge shows. Okay must go, next we'll start with driving.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Some rambling stuff to fill the void. Will get interesting again.
It was around this time, I'll say late July and early August. I started to realize that I was getting better. The numbness in my left hand was much improved, the right hand not so much. I still couldn't quite open bottles of seltzer on my own.
My sister was recuperating from her successfully surgery and would call now and again. Do a bit of complaining, she hated the hospital of course. The food absolutely sucked, and she wanted to come home. She knew that was a long ways off. They were talking about rehab for her. Partly probably because of where the would was, uterine if you remember. And I always suspected her being so overweight. The idea was being thrown around. I did the best I could, I was still recovering myself.
I was getting bills in order. Even had to call the surgeon. Not for issues but for disability. It seemed I was to be cut off. Long story short it had to do with clearing me for going back to work. I still had a week or 2 before the appointment. The secretary was a sweetheart and helped keep me getting my short term disability. Even promised to ask the Dr. about when I could actually start driving again. I was ecstatic.
Don't get me wrong, I loved being home. I was making the most of it. Loving the heat, the walks were getting more and more enjoyable. The bakery again. Oh recovering during the summer is just the best, in my opinion. I did have a longing for being mobile.
If you remember they'd given me a very generic flyer about when you were able to do this and that again. From ages 10-100 I figured. Well the surgeon usually said driving was okay a full 3 weeks before the paper work said okay. A kid the night before Christmas was I.
Long story short I was cleared the first week in August, I couldn't wait. It also would be possible for me to drive myself to the surgeon final appointment. My brother in law wouldn't have to take off to drive me.
My sister was recuperating from her successfully surgery and would call now and again. Do a bit of complaining, she hated the hospital of course. The food absolutely sucked, and she wanted to come home. She knew that was a long ways off. They were talking about rehab for her. Partly probably because of where the would was, uterine if you remember. And I always suspected her being so overweight. The idea was being thrown around. I did the best I could, I was still recovering myself.
I was getting bills in order. Even had to call the surgeon. Not for issues but for disability. It seemed I was to be cut off. Long story short it had to do with clearing me for going back to work. I still had a week or 2 before the appointment. The secretary was a sweetheart and helped keep me getting my short term disability. Even promised to ask the Dr. about when I could actually start driving again. I was ecstatic.
Don't get me wrong, I loved being home. I was making the most of it. Loving the heat, the walks were getting more and more enjoyable. The bakery again. Oh recovering during the summer is just the best, in my opinion. I did have a longing for being mobile.
If you remember they'd given me a very generic flyer about when you were able to do this and that again. From ages 10-100 I figured. Well the surgeon usually said driving was okay a full 3 weeks before the paper work said okay. A kid the night before Christmas was I.
Long story short I was cleared the first week in August, I couldn't wait. It also would be possible for me to drive myself to the surgeon final appointment. My brother in law wouldn't have to take off to drive me.
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